Rivers State Guber: ABP’s Allison Kalada Condemns Militarization Of Political Process
The Oasis Reporters
March 12, 2019
By Moses Gbande, Jos
The gubernatorial candidate of the All Blending Party (ABP) in Rivers State, Prince Kalada Allison has condemned in totality, the militarization of the political process in Rivers State.
Prince Allison in a press statement issued in Jos, Tuesday said the people of Rivers state have been in a sad state of mind ever since the electoral process started.
“We are yet to recover from the loss of our sons and daughters in the February 23 Presidential and National Assembly elections, yet we suffered more losses in the March 9 Governorship and State House of assembly elections in Rivers state.
“There are cases of armed uniformed men snatching and carting away electoral materials as recorded in Abonnema, Okrika, Eleme, Khana and Ward 12 Bonny local Government area, the videos are everywhere as aired on ChannelsTV and AIT.
“The military invasion of the State collation center at Aba Road is a complete misuse of power against the peaceful people of Rivers state and should be condemned in its entirety, it’s a shame that a son of Rivers state will choose his ambition over the will of the people of Rivers state, this we must resist and stand against by our votes.
“The military denials, claiming that those men are fake military personnel leaves us with these questions:
1. How many of these fake military men have been arrested?
2. How did they get access to military uniforms and operate freely in the state despite all the military checkpoints in Rivers state?
3. Do we now conclude that the military are incompetent in discharging their duties by not providing enough security for our electoral process?
“I am by this medium calling on the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Chief of Army Staff to with immediate effect call the military to order and to completely absent themselves from the electoral process in Rivers state, for the military have not just failed us but have by this act deprived the people of Rivers state from exercising their civic responsibilities.
Therefore I call on the international community to also intervene so as to avoid a breakdown of law and order in the state, Rivers people will resist any form of intimidation, either by the military or any one who feels the mandate of Rivers people should be subverted for personal gains.
“I am also calling on the Independent National Electoral Commission to declare the winner of the March 9 Governorship election as collated from each Polling unit/ward/LGA, as we have copies and will not accept any form of changes in figures as to favour any particular candidate.
“I want to call on Rivers people to be calm and patient, and also commend the Executive Governor of Rivers State, Chief Barr Nyesom Ezenwo Wike for being peaceful and calm, you are indeed a Governor to emulate.
“I am also calling on the Nigerian Army to with immediate effect, release all Rivers citizens they have unlawfully detained for so many days. These Rivers sons have been detained by the G.O.C, 6 Division, Nigeria Army, Bori Camp, Port- Harcourt for several days running.
They are:
1. Prof Israel Owate
2. Dr Fred Ateng
3. Mr Deinma Iyalla
They have been detained for several days by the Nigerian Army, 6 Div. Hqrs Bori Camp, Port Harcourt”
