Rivers re-run: PDP, APC brought Nigeria’s democracy into disrepute – CSOs
– The recently held re-run legislative elections in Rivers state is still dominating the polity
– The violence that characterised the polls has been generating reactions from various groups
– The Nigerian Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have now added their voice to the controversial polls
A coalition of CSOs under the name Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room has condemned the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for their conduct in the recently held legislative elections in Rivers state.
The Rivers re-run elections was characterised by violence
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In a statement distributed to media houses in Abuja and obtained by NAIJ.com, the group stated that they monitored build up to the exercise and the election itself.
They expressed their disappointment regarding the conduct of the poll and the violence that surrounded it.
The group noted the killing of a youth corp member; abduction, assault and harassment of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) staff; post election violence and several other killings relating to the election.
Part of the statement read: ”Our observations made it clear that both major political parties were involved in incidents and incitement that brought their parties and the democratic system into disrepute.”
The group called for the immediate cessation of inflammatory statements from the major political parties, public release reports of all incidents of violence and a public apology from the APC and PDP.
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”We hope that INEC and security services will review preparations for the Rivers election and draw appropriate lessons on how to conduct polls in such difficult circumstances,” the statement read.
Meanwhile, Governor Nyesom Wike paid a condolence visit to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) secretariat in Port harcourt yesterday, March 23 over the death of Samuel Dumebi Okonta, a youth corps member.
Okonta, an orphan from Illah area of Delta state, was serving as an ad-hoc staff of INEC at Ahoada West local government area when he and two of his colleagues were attacked by hoodlums who were trying to obstruct the conduct of the elections.
In a related development, the director general of the NYSC, Brig- Gen. Johnson Olawumi, has vowed that the leadership of NYSC would not relent until those responsible for the killing of Okonta are brought to justice.
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