By Magret Ephraim
The Interim Steering Committee of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) has condemned last weekend presidential and national assembly elections describing it as characterised by wide-spread incidences of electoral malpractice, falsification of results, violence, and deaths in several Ijaw communities Bayelsa and Rivers State.
The body said that it was particularly troubled by the extent of electoral violence in such places as Bassambiri in Nembe Local Government Area, Twon-Brass in Brass Local Government area, Agbere in Sagbama Local Government Area and various parts of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area in Bayelsa State.
It made particular mention of the death of one Mr. Seidougha Taribi at his home even after the conclusion of voting in Oweikorogha comuninity in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area.
In Rivers State, the congress said it received disturbing reports of violence in Okrika Local Government Area, Opobo in Opobo Local Government Area, Bonny Island in Bonny Local Government Area and Abonnema in Asari-Toru Local Government Area where it said scores of young people were killed.
“Desperate politicians, many of whom do not enjoy popular support base in their areas were behind some of the violence. However, it is of very serious concern that cases of high handedness and excesses by government security and law enforcement agents were responsible for some of the incidents. This is totally unacceptable and we condemn it”.
The Congress called on appropriate authorities of the Federal Government to urgently investigate these incidences and bring to book all perpetrators of the violence and deaths, noting that there must be no sacred cows. It also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission to ensure that falsified elections results were rejected and new elections conducted.
The statement which was signed by Prof. Joseph Ajienka, further warned masterminds of electoral violence to desist or else all lawful means would be used to make them accountable for their actions including the unjustified shedding of the blood of fellow Ijaw sons.
It called for the unity of the Ijaw nation warning that beyond the elections, the peace, stability and future of Ijaw must be uppermost at all times.
