Amaechi warns security agents against harassing voters

Rotimi Amaechi, governor of Rivers state, has warned security personnel in the state against harassing voters during Saturday’s election.

Encouraging residents of the state to document incidents of improper conduct on the part of the security agents, Amaechi said any officer found to be involved in unbecoming act would be dealt with in accordance with the law, particularly under the administration of Muhammadu Buhari, the president-elect.

“Government has received news of harassment, intimidations and improper conduct by law enforcement agents in the course of Friday, April 10, 2015 as exemplified by the action of the divisional police officer, Kayode Joseph, and the deputy commissioner of police, Rivers state command, John Amadi,” he said in a statement.

“The Rivers state government wishes to warn all security personnel in Rivers state that government will not spare any persons found engaging in unwholesome and unprofessional conduct.

“It wishes to remind all security personnel that the main object of government is to secure lives and properties and it will not relinquish that right.

“It also calls on all citizens and residents to take appropriate note and document any security personnel behaving improperly and who is compromised and forward same to the Rivers state government.

“All such personnel will face the full weight of the law now and for those who may escape prosecution now, definitely when the new government takes over on May 29, 2015.

“Security agents are advised to conduct themselves in a proper manner as the law is no respecter of persons.”

Meanwhile, the atmosphere in the state is charged ahead of the election.

Security personnel have mounted strategic places across the state, compounding traffic situation, particularly in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

Politicians have also been holding last minutes meetings.

Our correspondent saw convoys parked on roadsides in areas like Eleme, Rumokoro, Mile One, Artillery junction and different groups dispersing from meetings.

Sound of gunshots charged the air in the early hours of the day in Eleme, with no confirmation whether the shots were from security agents or suspected political thugs.

Ezekiel Anayi, a commercial driver based in Rukpokwu, said he cannot wait for the election to be over.

“We just want this season to end so that peace can return to this state,” he said.

“I have never seen any election like this in Rivers. So many lives have been lost. But I am very sure that calm would return as soon as the election is over.”

Though there are other parties participating in the governorship and state house of assembly election, it is more or less a two-way horse race between the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).