Peterside, Wigwe, Others Urge FG to Probe Rivers Election Violence

Jonathan Eze
Prominent citizens of River State, including founder of Stanbic IBTC Plc, Atedo Peterside; and Access Bank Managing Director, Herbert Wigwe, have condemned the violence and killings in River State, and urged President Muhammadu Buhari to set up a judicial commission of inquiry into the massive loss of lives, which occurred before, during and after the elections in the state.
The group, in a statement titled: ‘Rivers Lives Also Matters’, argued that elections, which are designed to enable the people choose their leaders should not lead to their death instead.

“Therefore, every single death must be investigated and the culprits brought to justice,” they said.
The stakeholders condemned the role played by the Nigerian Army in these events and welcome the announcement by the Army Command that they had set up a panel to investigate the conduct of their personnel who were deployed on election duties.
The statement read in parts: “We the undersigned are concerned citizens and stakeholders of Rivers State.
“We have watched with disbelief the recent violent incidents which occurred before, during and after the elections that were held in Rivers State on February 23 and March 9, 2019. These incidents occurred supposedly as a result of the elections. “These violent incidents have led to the needless loss of so many lives, especially youths in various communities.
“We do not believe that elections which are designed to enable the people choose their leaders should lead to their death instead. Therefore, every single death must be investigated and the culprits brought to justice.
“We are particularly concerned about the role played by the Nigerian Army in these events and welcome the announcement by the Army Command that they have set up a panel to investigate the conduct of their personnel who were deployed on election duties.
“In the light of numerous disturbing video footages which have gone viral across the globe, it is important and imperative that the investigation is thorough, professional and unbiased.