The Presidency has sent a strong warning to perpetrators of violence in Rivers State to stay clear as the state prepares for conclusion of the rerun election slated for December 10 by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
A statement from the office of the Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on Niger-Delta and the Coordinator of the Preisdential Amnesty Programme, Brig. Gen. Paul Boroh (rtd) said the office was aware of the pockets of violence beginning to occur ahead of the rerun election.
The statement warned that the Amnesty Office will not hesitate to remove the name of any beneficiary of the Amnesty Programme that got involved in electoral violence.
The statement reads, “The Presidential Amnesty Programme is saddened by the circle of electoral violence cracking up Rivers State.
“This has become more pronounced as preparations for the re-run elections for the State draws closer. Such violence portends danger to the electoral and governance system in the country. It also gravely undermines the peace building efforts by the Federal Government in the region.
“The Amnesty Office appeals to all and Sundry to keep the peace and abide by the Rules of the Electoral Game to achieve Stability in the State .
“The Amnesty Office specifically advises youths and ex-agitators not to allow themselves to be used as cannon fodders in the spiraling violence in the state.
“The Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta and Coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Brig General Paul Boroh (Rtd) warns beneficiaries of the Amnesty programme to steer clear of violence in the region.
“He emphasizes that any beneficiary of the Amnesty Programme who is involved in any violent action should know that he would be violating the oath he took to end violence which earned him the Presidential Amnesty. As such, he warns that any beneficiary involved in violence, will be exited from the Programme, his monthly stipend stopped and will also be prosecuted.
“The Amnesty Coordinator impresses on all the ex-agitators leaders to exercise control over the beneficiaries under their leadership and warns that where a leader is found to be complicit in violence, apart from him, his camp will in addition, face sanctions.”
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