Unic Press UK: President Buhari has expressed support for peaceful elections in Nigeria, including in Rivers where election rerun would hold on Saturday, the 10th December 2016.
Buhari position was conveyed through a message from the special adviser to the president on media and publicity, Femi Adesina, on Friday, the 9th December 2016, reads:
“President Muhammadu Buhari has called for peaceful and orderly conduct in the federal and state legislative rerun elections in Rivers State tomorrow.
“The President urges all political parties, their candidates, other stakeholders and the people of the state to ensure that the polls are conducted without rigging, violence and intimidation of opponents and electoral officials.
“President Buhari reminds politicians and their supporters in Rivers State to put the higher interest of the people of the state in mind, as they go to the polls on Saturday.
“The rerun elections should not be seen as a do-or-die affair to the extent that people will be killed, maimed and property destroyed in a mindless display of crude primitive instincts. Innocent blood should never be sacrificed on the altar of political contest for temporary power,” the President warned.
“While calling on security and law enforcement agencies to exhibit professionalism and non-partisanship in the discharge of their constitutional duties even in the face of extreme provocations, President Buhari directed them to deal decisively with trouble-makers and those bent on violating the sanctity of the electoral process.
“He also enjoins the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to do all within its powers to give transparency and fairness to the electoral exercise in Rivers State.
“The President restates the commitment of his administration to deepening democracy in the country by enthroning a legacy of respect for the wishes of the people through free, fair and credible elections devoid of intimidation and violence throughout the federation.”
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The election rerun in Rivers appears to have been hurriedly arranged after the Nigerian Senate threatened to stop parliamentary duties if the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) did not conduct/complete the elections necessary to fill the legislative seats available to Rivers State by 10 December 2016.
