Parties Agree On Peaceful, Fair Polls In Rivers

Political party chieftains
in Rivers State have underscored fair treatment by security agencies, avoiding inflammatory statements and shunning politics of bitterness by politicians as ways of achieving a fair and peaceful polls next month.
The party chieftains covering about 26 political parties in the State made their view public during a interactive session organised by the State Police Command at the weekend in Port Harcourt.
State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Chief Davies Ibiamu, Ikanya appealed to the police and other security agencies not to be partisan in their duties.
Chief Ikanya stated that the party would abide by the code of conduct, but insisted that other parties should be made to abide by the rules,  “for us, we don’t have any option if you are ready to play by the rules.”
The APC chieftain also called on the police to investigate the recent bombings of its secretariats in Okrika and Andoni local government areas, stressing that once those who are planning mayhem are exposed, it will serve as deterrent to other parties.
On his part, state chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Felix Obuah denied that the party was engaged in violent and lawless acts reasoning that the APC was accusing the party without waiting for thorough investigations by the police.
Chief Obuah stated that the PDP had always abided by the rules and will not contravene electoral code of conduct, and challenged the police to investigate and arrest those destroying the party’s banners and posters across the state.
In the view of Obuah, “ we need to show love, unity to our followers so that they avoid politics of rancor and bitterness. Politics is not a do-or-die affairs, but is live and let us live”.
Chairman of New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) in the State Deacon Enyi Princewill called on the police to regulate campaigns in the local government area, so as to avert clashes by political parties.
Deacon Enyi reasoned that political parties should plan their campaigns in such a way that would avoid clash with the campaign of another political party, citing the Etche and Omuma rallies by the PDP and APC as capable of igniting violence.

Cross section of lawmakers at sitting of the House of Assembly during presentation of the 2015 Appropriation Bill by Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi last Thursday. Photo: Chris Monyanaga