Rivers Re-run: Observer Group, CLEEN Accuses Army, DSS, Police of Electoral Malpractices
A civil society organization, CLEEN Foundation has accused the
Police, Army and the Department of State Services, DSS, of involvement
in electoral malpractice during Saturday’s legislative rerun election in
Rivers State.
The elections observer group, noted in its report, that both the military and other security agencies failed to maintain neutrality during the December 10 polls.
This is coming at a time when the military dismissed reports that it was involved in electoral misconduct during the elections in Rivers State.
CLEEN cited instances where security operatives killed a voter,
carried out sporadic shootings and hijacking of electorial materials
during the polls to back up its claim.
According to the report, “The way and manner in which the election was conducted is a validation of the outcomes of the Security Threat Assessment report, and justifies the concerns of various stakeholders that the outcome of the election will not reflect the will of the people.
“There were serious cases of electoral violence orchestrated by the Police, Army and DSS in Ward 3 Bodo community in Gokana and Khana Local Government Area. This led to the shooting to death of Mr. Mbari John MeeBari.
“At Ward 12, Unit 5, Abonnema, Akuku Toru, Police shot sporadically to scarce away voters. At Sara 1, Sara 2 and Kalakama (Ward 12), Okirika LGA electoral materials were hijacked by the Army and officers of SARS at gunpoint.”
The report claimed that the killing of a police officer, DSP, Alkali
Mohammed and his orderly, were due to “unwarranted use of force and
shooting”.
“INEC, Police, Army and DSS provided overt and covert support for one of the political parties during the poll at Isiokpo INEC Collation Center,Ikwerre LGA, Ngo in Andoni LGA, Bonny LGA and Ahoada, INEC Staff and security agencies especially the army and police were observed openly aiding a political party,” CLEEN said.
The foundation claimed that it observed the late arrival of materials in some places, including: “Ward 8, unit 14, Ubima, Ikwerre LGA; Ward 16, Nyokhana, Khana LGA, Ward 9, unit 3, Ogu Bolo LGA”.
The elections observer group, noted in its report, that both the military and other security agencies failed to maintain neutrality during the December 10 polls.
This is coming at a time when the military dismissed reports that it was involved in electoral misconduct during the elections in Rivers State.
According to the report, “The way and manner in which the election was conducted is a validation of the outcomes of the Security Threat Assessment report, and justifies the concerns of various stakeholders that the outcome of the election will not reflect the will of the people.
“There were serious cases of electoral violence orchestrated by the Police, Army and DSS in Ward 3 Bodo community in Gokana and Khana Local Government Area. This led to the shooting to death of Mr. Mbari John MeeBari.
“At Ward 12, Unit 5, Abonnema, Akuku Toru, Police shot sporadically to scarce away voters. At Sara 1, Sara 2 and Kalakama (Ward 12), Okirika LGA electoral materials were hijacked by the Army and officers of SARS at gunpoint.”
“INEC, Police, Army and DSS provided overt and covert support for one of the political parties during the poll at Isiokpo INEC Collation Center,Ikwerre LGA, Ngo in Andoni LGA, Bonny LGA and Ahoada, INEC Staff and security agencies especially the army and police were observed openly aiding a political party,” CLEEN said.
The foundation claimed that it observed the late arrival of materials in some places, including: “Ward 8, unit 14, Ubima, Ikwerre LGA; Ward 16, Nyokhana, Khana LGA, Ward 9, unit 3, Ogu Bolo LGA”.
A vintage fender guitar
owned by legendary Nigerian musician, King Sunny Adé, was on Sunday
auctioned at N52.1 million in Lagos.
The guitar which was auctiond by Dr. Jogun Onabanjo, Certified
Auctioneer and Chief Executive of Onabanjo and Onabanjo & Co, is
known to have been designed by Nigerian artist Victor Ehikamenor.
The glittering artistic piece was revealed at the King Sunny Ade‘s 70th
birthday concert tagged Sunny on Sunday, which had an audience
comprising of Nigeria’s richest and top celebrities.
Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/12/king-sunny-ades-guitar-auctioned-n52m/
Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/12/king-sunny-ades-guitar-auctioned-n52m/
A vintage fender guitar
owned by legendary Nigerian musician, King Sunny Adé, was on Sunday
auctioned at N52.1 million in Lagos.
The guitar which was auctiond by Dr. Jogun Onabanjo, Certified
Auctioneer and Chief Executive of Onabanjo and Onabanjo & Co, is
known to have been designed by Nigerian artist Victor Ehikamenor.
The glittering artistic piece was revealed at the King Sunny Ade‘s 70th
birthday concert tagged Sunny on Sunday, which had an audience
comprising of Nigeria’s richest and top celebrities.
Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/12/king-sunny-ades-guitar-auctioned-n52m/
Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2016/12/king-sunny-ades-guitar-auctioned-n52m/
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