[dropcap]S[/dropcap]aturday, 19 March 2016 is the Rivers State Re-run Election Day.
The success, fairness and credibility of the election depends primarily on the turn-out of Voters. All that voters have to do to make this election fail is to refuse! to turn-up at the polling units to vote.
The temptation to stay away from the polls is strong. There could be multiple reasons to stay home. The strong words of the campaign, the threats of violence, the perceived violence and fear of the unknown, are all possible disincentives.
Coming out to vote is the first demonstration of the will of the electorate to set the political agenda of Rivers State. Turning up to vote is evidence of your disapproval of blood letting and an affirmation that no person’s ambition is worth anybody’s blood.
The presence of the military and security forces should be seen as designed to discourage intimidation of voters, harassment of law abiding citizens, and any form of manipulation. Unless we all go to the polling units to vote, the expenditure in mobilizing the Security forces would be a waste.
Remember that the more voters that come out to vote the less likely it is that the election result would be manipulated.
Let us all vote, ensure that the votes are counted, scores entered in the appropriate Result Sheet and announced at the Polling Unit.
For this Re-run election we are all I-reporters. Deputy Inspector General of Police, Wakama, has announced that we could take photographs of things happening around us. Pls record audio and visual of the counting, recording and announcement of results. Post your reports on social media. Do all you can to ensure the will of the people prevails.
Let us look out for each other. If you suspect any unusual movement, or anything strange, or any one or persons in suspected fake Police or Military uniforms, please call any of these Police Control Room numbers:
0809 888 0134;
0802 891 5460;
0802 891 5462;
0816 072 3892.
I am convinced that we are on the threshold of delivering the freest, fairest and most credible election in Rivers State in particular and Nigeria in general.
God bless you as you Vote.
Nimi Walson-Jack is an influential politician from Rivers State of Nigeria. He is a lawyer, criminologist, civic educator, pro-democracy, human rights, and civil society activist. He is a public policy contributor and analyst, an acclaimed publisher. He is a one-time general secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association and served as electoral commissioner in the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commissioner. Connect with him on Facebook.
The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author.
