Rivers to set up Judicial Panel to Probe Election-related Killings

The Rivers State Governor and Director-General of All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Organization, APCPCO, Chibuike Amaechi, has disclosed plans by the state to set up a Judicial Commission of Enquiry to look into violent deaths of some Rivers citizens in the March 28 Presidential Election.

The governor, who made the disclosure on Saturday while addressing APC supporters during a victory rally in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state, vowed that their deaths would be avenged by the law in line with his administration’s resolve to protect lives and property.

“This morning, I got approval from the Executive Council to set up a judicial commission of enquiry to investigate those deaths that happened before election, during election and after election. Anybody found guilty will go to jail.

“I didn’t set up administrative enquiry. I set up judicial commission of enquiry. It means that the man sitting there is sitting as a judge. He is not sitting as chairman, he is sitting as a judge, if you are found guilty, straight to jail”.

Amaechi decried police brutal actions on innocent voters in the state during the March 28 Presidential election.

He, however, assured that the gubernatorial and House of Assembly elections in the state this coming Saturday would be peaceful, free and fair with the new tide across the country following victory at the polls of Muhammadu Buhari in the March 28 presidential election.

“This time, election will be peaceful, free and fair. Last time, we saw policemen thumb printing for them. This time they will not. If they do that, take their name, take their number, record them for us”, he said.

He described the March 28 election day as freedom day for all Nigerians, even as he added that there would be no more arbitrary arrests by the police in Rivers State.

Speaking on his decision to dump the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, for the APC, Mr. Amaechi described the decision as his best political choice at the time.

“People blamed me for leaving PDP to APC and I said they are wrong. They are wrong because God has directed that we should move to APC and because God said [it], I have left them”.

He reiterated that President-elect, Buhari, would not Islamize Nigeria.

On APC’s presidential victory, Mr. Amaechi said it was God’s will for the country.

“I made it clear that God has said we would win Saturday’s election and I said we would be fighting with police and army but God would be behind us and if God is behind us, we would win, didn’t we win?

“They went to Churches to preach, they went to incite our people in churches and said that Buhari is a Muslim, he will Islamize Nigeria, and I said I didn’t see that. I said to them I am a Christian, I am a Catholic, nobody can Islamize me. This afternoon, I observed the Catholic ceremonies for Good Friday. On Sunday, I will go to Church to pray to my God and thank Him for bringing victory to us”, he added.

The governor said the incoming administration of Mr. Buhari would be just and God-fearing and would not use police to harass or intimidate anyone.

Earlier, the governor said Mr. Buhari would successfully tackle poverty and unemployment on assuming office.

He said: “From the first day he is sworn-in, he will begin to address poverty and unemployment”.

He urged the people to be peaceful in the forthcoming governorship election in the state and vote for the APC governorship candidate, Dr. Dakuku Peterside.

“We would go out and bring in the votes. My phone will be open on that day, if you are bringing in the votes and any policeman harasses you, don’t fight back. Just give me the person’s name and number.

“I say they have the police, they have the army and I told you they don’t have God. Didn’t I tell you that, have you seen God’s work now?” he asked.

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