Worried by the violence that marred the Port Harcourt State
Constituency Three Election, Ambassador of Ireland to Nigeria, Sean
Hoy has called on the Federal Government to take steps to ensure that
elections are conducted within the ambit of the rule of law.
Similarly, the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Ketil Karlson
declared meaures must be placed on ground by the relevant authorities
to check a repeat of the electoral violence on August 18, 2018 at the
Port Harcourt State Constituency Three.
Both ambassadors spoke on Monday at the Government House Port Harcourt
after a meeting with the Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike.
Ambassador of Ireland to Nigeria, Sean Hoy said: “We must always
follow the rule of law. Because election without the rule of law is
not good.
“And it is not good for good governance “.
The Irish Ambassador noted that they were in Rivers State to
participate in a programme organised by INEC to improve youth
participation in elections.
He said: “We emphasised that the youths must register to exercise
their right to vote”.
The European Union Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Ketil Karlson commended
INEC for the action it took after the violence during the Port
Harcourt State Constituency Three Election.
“We have commended the work of INEC . They have taken an important
step and stance on the Port Harcourt State Constituency Three
Election.
“Measures should be taken so that we don’t see similar events in the
future elections coming up in February and March next year “, the
European Union Ambassador said.
He expressed concern about the violence during the Bye-Election.
Responding, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike said it was
embarrassing that elections could not be conducted in just 8 wards,
saying nobody prays for a repeat of the ugly situation.
He said: “It is so embarrassing that the police cannot secure eight
wards and 142 Polling Units. What will happen when elections will be
conducted in 4442 Polling Units. Violence will not help.
“I have told the international community that we want free and fair
elections. Anybody who watched what happened on 18th August, 2018
will know that if we had retaliated or told our people to come out, it
would have been worse”.
He stated that the entire world saw the purveyors of violence, saying
that Nigerians know the real promoters of violence.
“We said, let the system play put so that we know what they intend to
do in 2019. For us as a government and as a people, we will continue
to support free and fair elections “.
While urging the international community to prevail on the security
agencies to promote the enabling environment for credible elections,
he noted that only credible polls will enhance the interest of the
people.