The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has warned the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike against making remarks capable of inciting violence during the Saturday’s legislative re-run election in the state.
Recall that Wike had recently accused INEC and the Nigerian Police Force of colluding with the All Progressives Congress, APC, to rig the December 10 re-run election in the State.
The governor had also threatened to release audio -visual footages of the State Police Commissioner allegedly plotting with politicians on the methods to be adopted for the planned rigging of the upcoming election.
But the nation’s electoral umpire, in a statement by its Chief Press Secretary, Rotimi Oyekanmi described Wike’s utterances as false and inciting.
Also, describing the governor’s comment as inciting, provocative and dangerous, INEC said, “The Commission condemns, in very strong terms, the relentless false allegations, provocative and dangerous comments being made by some political actors, especially the governor of Rivers State, Mr. Wike, against the commission, all of which are capable of inciting people to commit violent acts that could derail the election.
“We appeal to stakeholders to henceforth refrain from making pronouncements that could either overheat the state or instigate their followers to violence. We also appeal to all the political parties and their supporters to abide by the extant laws governing the electoral process.
“We wish to reassure all Nigerians that the commission will remain impartial and committed to conducting credible, fair and transparent elections at all times.”
Expressing its readiness for the Saturday’s election, INEC promised to conclude the poll in the State, “in a free, fair, and transparent manner on December 10, 2016.”
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