Gov Wike sets up panel to probe violence during rerun elections

(Nigeria) Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike has set up a Judicial Commission of Inquiry to  investigate the  violence  and killings  that occurred during  the March 19, rerun legislative elections in the state.

In a state broadcast on Wednesday, Governor Wike said, "In order to forestall a repeat of the needless violence and fatalities in future elections, I hereby establish a Judicial Commission of Enquiry to investigate the violence, killings and other related acts that occurred in parts of the state during the March 19 2016 re-run elections and make appropriate recommendations to Government for implementation."

The Commission has Justice Monima Danagogo as Chairman; Mrs. Uche Uriri, Secretary; Venerable John Adubasim,  Mrs. Douye Green, Joseph Zabbey,  Engr. Luke Nwanodi as members.

The  Commission will be inaugurated on  March 24, 2016 at the Government House, Port Harcourt by the  governor.

The  governor  said  that  as a responsible  government the administration  will continue  to  be  alive  to  its responsibility to protect  lives and property in Rivers State.

He said : "I wish to assure Mr. President of our continuous commitment to do everything within our powers and resources to support the security agencies to fight crime and criminality and ensure that Rivers State is secure, safe and peaceful for people to live, enjoy and go about their legitimate social and economic activities.

"Furthermore, I wish to on behalf of the State Government express my deepest sympathies to the family of the late National Youth Service Corp member, Mr. Dumiebi Samuel Okonta who unfortunately lost his life while faithfully serving the nation on election duty during the March 19, 2016 re-run elections in the State.

“I wish to re-emphasize that I fully share Mr. President’s position that we must as a people and as a nation exterminate the scourge of recurring flawed elections and join the rest of the civilized world in conducting relatively flawless and credible elections at all times.

"I therefore, call on Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC and all other agencies in the management of the electoral process, including the political parties and the candidates, to play by the established rules and ensure that the re-run elections to be conducted in the remaining eight Local Government Areas are devoid of malpractices and violence of any kind.

"Once again, I call on all eligible voters from the affected councils to come out and freely exercise their franchise whenever the re-run elections are fixed."

He described as fifth columnists all those persons,  including highly placed politicians, INEC staff and security agencies who deliberately worked to sabotage the re-run elections in the state. 

He said such persons were enemies of progress who were out and determined to undermine the electoral process and perpetuate the old discredited ways of electioneering process.

The governor said, "I wish to, with profound humility and appreciation thank you all for your peaceful conduct and effective participation in electing your representatives during the re-run legislative elections of March 19 2016 despite the provocations from some overzealous security personnel and their political collaborators.

"I wish to also express my profound gratitude and loyalty to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,  Mohammadu Buhari for his uncompromising commitment towards entrenching a permanent culture of free, fair and credible elections in the country."