Former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon Chibudom Nwuche has urged political stakeholders in Rivers State to play by the rules and ensure peaceful and non violent elections in Rivers state during Saturday’s Governorship and House of Assembly elections.
Hon Nwuche who was reacting to the violence that characterized the presidential and National Assembly elections in some parts of Rivers state that led to the killing of soldiers, electoral officers and voters, condemned the incident which according to him disenfranchised thousands of Rivers indigenes from exercising their right to elect their leaders, emphasizing that a credible election is one that is devoid of crises and allows voters to vote without fear and intimidation.
He described as worrisome and a dangerous trend the current tensed political atmosphere in Rivers state caused by political leaders who are issuing threats and inciting youths to violence, a situation that is capable of igniting voter apathy and civil unrest, saying such will worsen the security situation in Rivers state and scare away investors from the state.
He therefore called on the youths to shun all forms of inducement from politicians that will lead them to violence and disrupting the electoral process. He also urged the youths to respect constituted authority and avoid possible breakdown of law and order. Stressing that what Rivers youths need is jobs, employment and empowerment and not violence.
He further urged politicians to tamper their rhetoric and realise that elections should not be a do or die affair, and that governance is about service to the people and not service to self.
