The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC will on March 19, 2016 conduct a fresh election in Rivers State following the nullification of the election of twenty two (22) members of Rivers State House of Assembly and that of the National Assembly.
Candidates seeking for various elective positions have concluded electioneering campaign ahead of the re-run polls. Politics is a contest that involves strategies and ideas on how to outwit one’s opponents in a civilized manner.
Politics is not a warfare that contestants and supporters will be on each other’s throat.
What actually matters in politics is that contestants should present their manifesto to the electorate to see and assess what they can do if given the mandate. And campaign should be issues based and not calumny. Politicians should play politics according to rules of the game devoid of violence, killing, rioting and several other vices.
During the general elections last year, there were political violence and killings in most of the local government areas in the state. Blood flowed ceaselessly and dead bodies littered and dotted all over the places.
Houses were burnt down and properties estimated at millions of naira destroyed. The pains associated with the last year’s elections were yet to subside. Most families are still feeling the excruciating pains emanated from political violence in 2015 general elections in Rivers State.
As the re-run polls come closer, it is our plea that contestants and supporters should do whatever they want to do within the ambit of the law. They should not take the laws into their hands by stepping on the fundamental rights of the electorate. Elections rigging and political manipulation should be avoided and pave way for credible, peaceful, free and fair election. ###
