By Emmanuel O. Nlewedum
Traditional Rulers in Rivers State under the auspices of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers has warned residents against promoting violence during and after the 2019 general elections.
The warning was contained in a communiqué issued by the council at the end of its meeting in Port Harcourt .
Chairman of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers and Amayanabo of Opobo kingdom, King Dandeson Douglas Jaja while reading the communiqué also advice security agencies to exhibit high level of professionalism and remain nonpartisan while discharging their duties at the polls.
The communiqué reads in part, “They must avoid all forms of violence during and after the elections, as no meaningful progress can be made in an atmosphere without peace in Rivers State.
“That all security agencies deployed to voting areas should display high sense of professionalism in discharging their duties during the elections. They are advised to stay neutral and not interfere with the electoral processes”.
King Jaja, who also is the natural ruler of Opobo averred that the monarchs will work with law enforcement agencies to sanction anyone or group causing violence and bridging the electoral laws.
The traditional rulers also used the medium to charge the Independent National Electoral Commission on conducting a free, fair and credible elections and also remain nonpartisan.
