The women’s wing of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Rivers State, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to caution the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi and other Chieftains of the All Progressives Congress, APC, over their threats of violence on the people of the state ahead of the general elections.
Addressing journalists in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, Coordinator of Rivers State PDP Women, Mrs Ukel Oyaghiri also called on the President to order the withdrawal of military men from private houses across the state.
The home of the Chairman of the Rivers State PDP Campaign Council, Ferdinand Alabraba has been occupied by Soldiers.
Oyaghiri stated: “It is a well known historical fact that in every situation of violence, women, young persons and children bear the brunt because they become widows and orphans.
“We are greatly saddened and disheartened to know that our own sons have declared war on our people and the land of Rivers State. If the war goes on as they wish, they would succeed in inflicting harm on their brothers, sisters, fathers, wives, mothers and friends.”
The PDP Women said they were worried knowing the antecedents in the last rerun elections in Rivers State where they alleged APC used SARS to snatch and alter result sheets.
“We are women, sisters, wives and mothers of Rivers State, fully conscious of our rights to elect our leaders in a free, fair and credible general election devoid of violence and intimidation.
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“Evidence abound that our rights are being infringed upon by the military and other security agencies. Threats are made publicly by APC Chieftains yet security agencies and the Federal Government that swore to defend us turn deaf ears to the impunity displayed brazenly.”
They expressed worry as law abiding citizens that President Muhammadu Buhari ordered the military to shoot at sight anyone involved in snatching of ballot boxes saying it would promote extra-judicial killings.
“We are petrified by this order as it threatens our right to exist as a people. It is a blank cheque for genocide. Our laws provide a penalty for snatching of ballot boxes. How about those who will shoot innocent citizens on the pretext that they are ballot snatchers? How about security forces who directly interfere with the Electoral Process? How About those who seize result sheets?
The PDP Women regretted that on February 15, 2019, the Military and Police deployed personnel with the intention of stopping Rivers people from exercising their franchise and tasked President Buhari to guarantee that the people of Rivers State would be allowed free access to polling units, free from gun-wielding masked officers with the aim of harassing them.
“We call on the international community, election observers and agencies of peace building to note and take action on the impunity so arrogantly displayed by the APC in Rivers State,” they said.
