Rivers Traditional Rulers ask INEC to declare Rivers Governorship Results on Units and Wards Basis 

Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers has urged the Independent
National Electoral Commission ( INEC) to declare  all verifiable results
of the Rivers State Governorship Election of March 9, 2019 on units and
ward basis.
The Rivers Traditional Rulers stated that only compromised results should
be discountenanced.
The Traditional Rulers made their position known in a press conference
addressed by their Chairman,  the Amayanabo of Opobo, King Douglas
Dandeson Jaja.
“We urge INEC to declare all verifiable results and immediately look into
only compromised results on units and wards basis, where boxes were
snatched by thugs or military personnel.
“We cannot go through  round of elections at a later date. INEC must
ensure that collated results are declared  and not tampered with by third
parties “.
They expressed disappointment with the alleged involvement of the military
and SARS personnel in the direct process of the 2019 elections in Rivers
State.
They said: “What we have today is a few Government appointees using
Federal apparatus including men in uniform to cause chaos and breakdown of
law and order.
“Our people who have attempted  to resist such illegality have either been
arrested or dealt with extra judicially “.
They regretted that Rivers communities have been militarised , with
innocent people harrassed,  arrested and detained.
“We are sad to note that in many kingdoms and communities,  the uniformed
or military men were actively involved in giving cover to politicians and
their thugs who are carting ballot boxes and result sheets.
“There are also allegations that some of these uniformed personnel are
‘fake soldiers ‘ but the real soldiers have not arrested any of  the so
called fake soldiers involved  in these dastardly acts.
“The Army has also come out on AIT today, 11th March, 2019 to state that
the people in Army uniforms are fake. So , why are they not being arrested
if they are thugs in military  uniforms”, they said.
The described as deafening the silence of the National Peace Committee
headed by General Abdulsalami Abubakar.  They wondered why the committee
has failed to call all parties and the military to order for breaching the
peace.
They said that parties cannot  be asked to accept results of elections
that are  brazenly rigged , manipulated and falsified in an atmosphere of
Intimidation and violence.
“Last time we checked,  the President and Commander in Chief has not given
any such order, neither has the Chief of Army Staff or Chief of Air Staff
ordered the full participation of the military in the Electoral Process in
our various kingdoms.
“So who has deployed the military,  Army and Air Force in this number,
even assaulting officials of INEC and taking over of premises when they
were not invited by INEC “, the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers
noted.
They wondered how come the military took over the Rivers State INEC
Headquarters and even fought the police and attempted hijacking results
from Local Government Areas.
“We need peace in Rivers State.  The people’s  will must prevail.  The
military must remove itself from directly participating in our elections.
“The Nigerian Army must immediately identify and arrest the so called
political thugs in military uniforms”, they said.
The Traditional Rulers said that politicians who collaborated  with the
military or thugs in military uniforms would be cursed traditionally.
They called on the Federal Government and the International Community to
come to the aid of Rivers people .
Picture 1: Chairman of Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers,  King
Douglas Dandeson Jaja (r) and the Amayanabo of Abonnema,  King Disrael
Bob-Manuel during a press conference on the Rivers State Governorship
Election