Abuja – Sustainable Ogoni, an NGO, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to release the result of the March 19 re-run election of Tai Local Government Area of Rivers.
This is contained in a statement signed by the Publicity Secretary of the NGO, Mr Jude Oma, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Abuja.
Oma said that the NGO had watched with keen interest the happenings in the ethnic group since the commencement of the 8th Republic and concluded that Ogonis were the worst hit in the state.
He said that the concern of Sustainable Ogoni as an organisation representing the people’s interest was on the environment and the people.
“When there is threat and counter threat in the air, the people are the ones that pay the prize of fear, tension and panic.
“Out of the four LGAs in Ogoniland Khana, Gokana, Eleme and Tai, only Tai was able to conclude its elections of the 19th of March.
“Eleme finished voting but couldn’t collate as a result of fear and heightened tension that made the Electoral Officer to shutdown.
“In Gokana there was serious security breakdown which led to electoral materials not leaving the centre to the field.
“Similar situation was reported on Khana where there was an arrest of a man with three others wearing military uniforms,’’ Oma said.
He said that while commending INEC for listening to the people and gave certificates of return to those that have been declared winners of the various constituencies; it urged that result of Tai be announced.
“We urge INEC to with a matter of urgency abide by its laws and pronouncement that any election that has been declared by the returning officer will be announced and proceed to announce Tai LGA result.
“This will not only give hope to Ogonis but build on the confidence we are having currently in the Nigerian state.
“We are at a very low point where we don’t have the presence of any representative in the National Assembly presently and when matters that concerned us comes in, there’s no one to champion it.’’
Oma said that while the organisation called on INEC to announce the result of Tai, any party that feels aggrieved should seek redress in the tribunal.
“We also plead the remaining elections that were suspended should be concluded so that we can have our voice in the state and National Assemblies.’’
The NGO, according to Oma, also commended the security agencies especially the Nigerian Police Force and the Nigerian Army who provided security on the election date.
“We, however, sympathise with the family of those who lost their lives and pray that God will give their families the grace to bear their losses.’’
Sustainable Ogoni is a local NGO based in Ogoni with members drawn from the four LGAs of Ogoniland. (NAN)