Elections Violence: Wike sets up committee to identify victims

L-R: Amanyanabo of Abonnema,  King Disrael Bob-Manuel, Rivers State Governor,  Nyesom Ezenwo Wike,  PDP National Chairman,  Prince Uche Secondus, Deputy Governor Ipalibo  Harry Banigo and Rivers State PDP Chairman,  Bro Felix Obuah during a memorial service in honour of Abonnema people and soldiers who died on 23rd February and March 2, 2019 at St Paul's Nyemoni Church on Wednesday

Rivers State Government has set up a committee to identify those killed during the Presidential and National Assembly elections in Abonnema, Akuku-Toru Local Government Area. 

The Committee also has the responsibility  of identifying  the soldiers who died during the Presidential and National Assembly elections and March 2, 2019. The high-powered committee is headed by the State Deputy Governor, Dr Ipalibo Harry Banigo. 

Speaking during a memorial service in honour of Abonnema people and soldiers who died on 23rd February and March 2, 2019 at St Paul's Nyemoni Church on Wednesday,  Governor Wike said that the committee will have the responsibility of also identifying the bereaved families. 

He said: "A committee headed by the Deputy Governor will identify those who died and their families.  Government will give them necessary assistance. 

"The committee will also identify  damaged  property  affected by the election crisis, so that the Rivers State Government will offer the required assistance for their repair".

The governor said that the Rivers State Deputy  Governor  will lead a high-profile delegation  to the Nigerian Army to commiserate with them on the death of their personnel  during the Presidential and National Assembly elections and on March 2, 2019 at Abonnema. 

He commiserated with the bereaved families in Abonnema and the families of the soldiers who died during the elections.  The Governor prayed  God to comfort them.

The Governor condemned  politicians who promote political violence,  saying that they should be compelled to present their children to execute political violence. 

"I appeal to politicians  to understand  that power comes from God. Those who forment trouble should be asked to bring their grown up children to execute political violence.

"God has done it for Abonnema and Rivers State.  We will have peace. I urge all leaders to  work with the Traditional Council to bring peace. Take all necessary measures for peace to reign.  The Rivers State Government will support you ", he said.

Governor Wike urged Rivers people not to be provoked despite  the antics of those determined to cause crisis  during the Governorship and State Assembly elections. 

The Governor appealed to security agencies not to allow  politicians to use them to cause violence  or disrupt voting on Saturday  

He berated the Minister of Transportation,  Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi for describing the peaceful town of Abonnema as the hideout of militants .

The Amayanabo of Abonnema,  King Disrael Bob-Manuel said that the Akuku-Toru Local Government Traditional Council got intelligence that there might be violence during Presidential and National Assembly elections and took measures to  forestall it. He  said one of the major political  parties refused to sign the peace accord.

He said that ahead of the Governorship and State Assembly elections,  the Traditional Council would hold another peace meeting on Thursday where a peace accord will be signed.  He said any political party that fails to sign would be held responsible should violence break out. 

The Amayanabo of Abonnema said the Abonnema people have learnt the bitter lesson and they will ensure that the ugly incident does not happen again  

In his sermon,  Pastor Christopher Briggs urged the people of Abonnema to come to God in repentance so that he will cleanse their land for the good of the area.

He said that Abonnema  couldn't have suffered  the type of crisis if the people had learnt from history.

Prayers were said to seek God's protection for Akuku-Toru Local Government Area and Rivers State during the Governorship and State Assembly elections.  Prayers were also said for the repose of the souls of all those who died on 23rd February and 2nd March of March,  2019.

It will be recalled  that violence  broke out in Abonnema  during the Presidential and National Assembly leading to several deaths and the disruption of the elections.