NAN-DS-8
Protest
By Monday Ijeh
Abuja, Dec. 20, 2016 (NAN) The National Support Group for Good Governance (NASUGG) on Tuesday took to the streets of Abuja protesting the killings and violence that marred the Dec. 10 legislative rerun elections in Rivers.
The National Coordinator of the group, Mr Abdulwahab Ekekhide, told newsmen in Abuja that the protest was to mobilise Nigerians against all forms of electoral violence in the country.
Ekekhide said the protest which took the group to the Force Headquarters was to register the support of Nigerians in the investigation and prosecution of perpetrators of violence in the rerun elections.
“We are saying no to all forms of electoral violence in Nigeria.
“We are not happy with the pace of killings during elections in Nigeria with particular reference to the just-concluded rerun elections in Rivers.
“Where a police officer and his aid were beheaded with other innocent good citizens of the state who went out to exercise their franchise were brutally murdered.
“We are saying Nigerians should join hands with all the security agencies to say no to electoral violence in this country,” he said.
According to him, the protest in Abuja is in view of the fact that the people killed are police officers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the citizens brutally murdered are also Nigerians.
He said the second reason for the protest in Abuja followed the fact that the leaders of this country who needed to know and take actions were in Abuja.
Mr Alkali Usman, an Assistant Inspector-General of Police, who received the protesters, said security of lives and property was a collective responsibility.
Usman commended the group and said that the police was ready to partner with any group to ensure crime prevention and control.
He said the pace of electoral violence in the country was not acceptable, adding that no stone would be left unturned in ensuring that perpetrators of electoral violence were brought to book
He said some arrests had been made with investigations ongoing in connection with the violence that rocked the legislative rerun election in Rivers. (NAN)
IMC/AMY/AMY
Edited by Abdullahi Yusuf