IPAC RIVERS STATE CONDEMNS ELECTORAL VIOLENCE AND KILLINGS RECORDED ON FEBRUARY 23, 2019. ADVOCATES FOR PEACEFUL AND VIOLENT FREE ELECTION ON SATURDAY MARCH 9, 2019.
The Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC) says it is not satisfied with the rate of violence exhibited on Saturday February 23, 2019; in different parts of Rivers State and hereby once again advocates for a peaceful and violent free Governorship and House of Assembly Election on Saturday March 9, 2019.
The group in a statement signed by State Chairman, Sir Precious Baridoo said, the violence, killings, and deaths recorded during the Presidential and National Assembly Election were avoidable if politicians had played by the rules in allowing the will of the people to count.
According to them, one basic factor behind the death toll was Militarization of the electoral process which is also avoidable.
They commiserates with the military for the death of their men and the families of those who lost their lives in the various hotspots in different local government areas of Rivers State and Nigeria at large.
“IPAC is hereby calling on the general public to shun violence, avoid snatching of ballot boxes and other electoral malpractices that could lead to death of the electorates.
IPAC is also calling on INEC and the Security agency involved in the election to show neutrality in the forthcoming election.
Of necessity, militarization of the electoral process should stop forthwith to avoid further killings on Saturday March 9, 2019.
“We are hereby calling on the African Union, United Nation, the International Community and all lovers of democracy to prevail on the INEC and Federal Government of Nigeria to stop militarization of Nigeria electoral process and allow peace to reign in Rivers State”, the group said.
