Eniola Olayemi
Some chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, including a former Chairman of Andoni local government area of the state, were killed on Saturday following violence that erupted in Asarama, headquarters of Andoni local government area of the state.
Also, unconfirmed number of persons believe to be members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) were killed following the eruption of violence before the commencement of accreditation and voting in Asari-Toru, Akuku-Toru and Degema local government areas of the state.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) may reschedule the Presidential and National Assembly election in parts of the state following reported incidences of violence.
The election was marred with late arrival of election materials, non-functionality of the card reader and violence and snatching of ballot boxes in parts of the state.
The Premier News gathered that most hit by violence were communities in Eleme, Ikwerre, Bonny, Asari-Toru, Akuku-Toru, Degema, Andoni, Okrika and parts of Port Harcourt City local government areas of the state.
Despite the presence of heavily armed security agents, drawn from the Department of State (DSS), the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Police, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and several others, shootings and explosions rocked parts of the state.
However, it is not yet clear if the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will postpone election in parts of the state as a result of the recorded violence.
When contacted, a top official of INEC in the state, who pleaded for anonymity said: “We have not made any official statement but we have reports of disruption. So, you will wait rill we issue official statement.”
Meanwhile, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike and his wife, Hon. Justice Suzzette Nyesom-Wike, have done with the accreditation and voting at Unit 7, Ward 9, in Obio/Akpor local government area of Rivers State.
Also, the Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, and his wife, Dame Judith Amaechi got accredited and voted at Unit 8, Ward 14, Ubima in Ikwerre local government area of the state.
Speaking to newsmen after casting his vote, Wike expressed happiness with the large turnout of voters. He stated that Nigerians are ready to exercise their franchise.
The governor said: “From what I have seen here, it is a large turnout and Nigerians are ready to express their franchise. Apart from the military intervention, things are moving on smoothly “.
He said that INEC showed preparedness in the discharge of their electoral duties during the voting process, regretting that the military proved to be stumbling blocks against democracy across the state.
Wike said: “It is unfortunate that our military can descend so low. We use to complain about the Police, but now it is the military.
“What Nigerians have wished to be will Be, it doesn’t matter the manipulation anybody would want to carry out, I am very hopeful that Nigerians will decide today and a new President will emerge.”
Meanwhile, Chairman of Ikwerre local government area of the state, Hon. Samuel Nwanosike, has called on the international community and Nigerians to prevail on the Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi not to change the outcome of the Presidential and National Assembly elections in the area.
Recall that Amaechi, who is also the Director-General of President Buhari Reelection Campaign Organization, hails from Ubima Community in Ikwerre local government area of the state.
Nwanosike said: “In Ikwerre local government area, we are law abiding people. Since 2015 when we started having proper election, because you know that we have had what is called nearest to one-party system in Rivers State since 1998/1999 to 2015.
“In 2015 general election, once accreditation and voting had started in the morning, the exercise will be peaceful until afternoon, violence will start immediately the collation starts at the ward level. That is where crisis will start and that is the problem we have here.
“Who is causing this crisis? Just one man; Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, the Minister for Transportation, under the Buhari government. We keep complaining on this same issue. If happened in the rerun we had in March 16, 2016. On December 10, 2016, during the re-rerun it happened.
“I call on the international community and Nigerians to know that whatever happens in Ikwerre local government area this afternoon moving forward, Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi should be held responsible.”
