The Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, yesterday urged the Federal Government to prosecute those behind the violence that smeared the 2015 governorship election in Rivers State.
DAILY POST reports that the Rivers State Election Petitions Tribunal, Saturday, upturned the victory of Nyesom Wike as Rivers State Governor on Saturday and ordered a rerun within 90 days.
Odinkalu, while reacting to the ruling by the Tribunal stressed that it was not enough for just a fresh election to be conducted within 90 days.
He stated that those behind the violence at the polls should be unmasked and sent to jail.
Odinkalu who took to his official Twitter handle, on Sunday, urged the Federal Government to ensure that those that were involved in the electoral offences during the governorship poll be prosecuted.
He said, “In May 2015, the NHRC recommended 117 persons for prosecution over crimes of electoral impunity.
“In one week, Nigerian courts have nullified two governorship election results in Akwa Ibom and Rivers states. We must ensure that those responsible go to jail.
“Electoral fraud doesn’t just happen; people do it. Wherever elections are nullified by the courts, someone should be held accountable.”
Comments