THE South-South chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has urged the Acting National Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mrs Amina Zakari to assert her authority by ordering the Rivers State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) to respect court decisions on election petitions in the state.
In a statement yesterday signed by Prince Hilliard Eta, APC remarked that the call was borne out of the need to curb fragrant violation of court orders by supposed impartial umpire like INEC.
The party frowned at last Wednesday’s harassment and tear-gassing of some of its chieftain and candidates from Rivers State, stating that the development was draconian and therefore unacceptable.
APC, however, demanded an apology from police authorities and called for sanctions on the personnel that perpetrated the act to serve as a deterrent to others who may want to continue in that stead.
Eta said the party would not accept such overzealous and draconian tendencies by security personnel, especially now that the new dispensation has declared an intolerable position against corruption and lawlessness of whatever dimension.
Eta noted: “The South-South office of the All Progressives Congress (APC) considers as draconian and coming from overzealous minds, last Wednesday’s visit of assault occasioned by the tear-gassing of some very revered and responsible party leaders and candidates from Rivers State who were at the INEC headquarters to albeit peacefully launch a protest against the heavily compromised and dissident Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) for Rivers State, Mrs. Gesila Khan who has defied orders of a constitutionally mandated court to produce electoral materials to the APC candidates to aid the quick dispensation of justice, following petitions arising from the abysmal conduct of the general elections of March 28 and April 11 in Rivers State.
Much as the APC government at the centre has indicated its commitment to the rule of law and of due process in all public engagements, as a party we are completely averse to such show of overzealousness by our security operatives who are naturally supposed to be protecting lives and properties of Nigerians.”
