Rivers re-run elections: Commissioner urges release of SSG, Special Adviser

The Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Dr Austin Tam-George, has called for the uncondi­tional release of the Sec­retary to the State Gov­ernment (SSG) and the Special Adviser to Rivers Governor by the Army.

Dr Tam-Goerge on behalf of the state gov­ernment, is demanding for the immediate and unconditional release of Chief Kenneth Kobani, secretary to the Rivers State government, and Hon Cyril Wite, special adviser to the governor on Special Projects.
Kenneth and Wite were arrested and detained on Election Day by the Nige­rian Military, when they were caught with armed youths in military and Po­lice uniforms on Saturday.

The Information com­missioner told Journalists in Port Harcourt, that the SSG and SA were arrested simply for being members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

According to him, their fate is the same with thou­sands of PDP supporters who were brutalised, ar­rested, shot at, and even killed by the military and thugs of the All Progres­sives Congress (APC) during the rerun elections on Saturday.

Dr Tam George said in many reported instances, the role of the military in the inconclusive elections have been shameful, em­barrassing, and a kick in the face of constitutional democracy.

“The military were indistinguishable from the rag tag thugs of the APC, under the direct command of Mr Rotimi Amaechi, the Minister of Transportation, Mr Da­kuku Peterside, Mr Mag­nus Abe and others.

“Never in the history of Rivers State have we witnessed such a blatant deployment of maximum violence against unarmed voters,” he said.