Forward Rivers Movement (FRM), a political pressure group has called on the federal government to conduct a full-scale investigation into the violence that characterised the August 18 PHALGA Constituency 3 by-election.
The group also called on the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to call to order the Chairman of the party in the state, Hon. Ojukaye Flag-Amachree, following his alleged involvement in the bye-election violence.
FRM, in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, stated that its members in Port Harcourt 3 Constituency, especially those resident in Ward 18, 13 and 10 were disenfranchised by thugs and security personnel allegedly brought in by Flag-Amachree, the APC image-maker in the state, Chris Finebone and others.
The statement, which was signed by Okocha Njobunwo and Charles Dan-Jumbo, the group’s Secretary and Public Relations Officer (PRO), respectively, lauded the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Obo Effanga, for his courage to act in line with the rules guiding the process of free, fair and credible elections.
The statement reads in part: “On behalf of our members, WD wishes to condemn in strong terms the violence that marred the PHALGA 3 Constituency by-election on Saturday, 18th August 2018.
“Our members who are residents in PHALGA 3 Constituency, particularly Ward 18, 13 and 10, etc, reported that they were disenfranchised by thugs and security personnel brought in by Ojukaye Flag-Amachree, Chris Finebone and others.
“We want to specially thank the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Obo Effanga and other INEC officials for their courage to act in line with the rules guiding the process of free, fair and credible elections.
“We are calling on the government to set up a panel of enquiry for a full-scale investigation into the immediate and remote cause of the violence and bring the culprits to book, this will serve as a deterrent and prevent future occurrence.
“We are calling on the national leadership of APC to call the factional chairman of the party in Rivers State, Ojukaye Flag-Amachree to order as no single individual has the monopoly of violence.”
