By Chinyere Aruogu
Ex-militant leader, Ateke Tom has sued for peaceful legislative elections as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) prepares to conclude pending polls in Rivers State.
Speaking at a meeting with newsmen in Okrika, Ateke advised the INEC to ensure that the polls are transparent.
“I want Rivers people to go out for a peaceful election so that there will be peace in the state. Whether you are APC or PDP, go out on that day and vote peacefully.
“Any party that wants to do rally can do their rally anywhere, nobody should disturb them. If they want to use my bedroom for their rally, I will give them my bedroom key after all before APC or PDP, there was Rivers state.
“No one should use my name to cover their failure if they have failed before, you are free to do your rally anywhere,” he said.
Tension is already building up in Rivers communities ahead of the December 10 date.
Violence greeted the 2015 general elections in the state and the March 19 legislative rerun in Rivers state in particular which led to the cancellation of the exercise in some local government areas.
Ateke’s community in Okrika also experienced some violence during the period.
…Enemies of Rivers Will be Disappointed – Wike
Meanwhile, Governor Nyesom Wike has assured that the enemies of the state will be disappointed after the rerun elections on December 10 despite their negative plots against the state.
He spoke during the 2016 Super Sunday Service of the Christ Apostolic Church at Emohua, noting that the enemies of Rivers State are working hard to stoke violence in areas where the rerun elections will hold .
He said: “I have to come to formally report to God that the enemies of the state are back. The way they were humiliated in 2015 and March 19, 2016 is the way they would be humiliated on December 10, 2016.
“Pray for peace in the forthcoming rerun elections in the state .”
He said the resources of Rivers State will always be used for the good of Rivers people, adding “Never again will Rivers resources be used to sponsor national politics. We will not take our money to play national politics.”
Wike added: “Rivers is a Christian State and we owe nobody an apology for that.
“I want to reiterate our commitment to setting up a special intervention fund for churches to take care of their members who are in need.
“At present, church leaders are fine tuning the details for this special fund, which we believe will further unite the church.”