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Rivers Elections: Ex-militant leader preaches peace

Chief Ateke Tom

Chief Ateke Tom

Ex-militant leader in Rivers, Chief Ateke Tom, has called on the people of the state to be peaceful during the Dec. 10 re-run elections in some parts of the state.

Tom, who made the call in Port Harcourt on Monday while fielding questions from newsmen, said that peace remained crucial for a successful re-run elections in the state.

He said that it was undemocratic for political parties to promote issues capable of igniting crisis, adding, “politics should not be a do or die affair”.

Tom, a former leader of the Niger Delta Vigilante, called on youth in the state not to be lured into indulging in violence for whatever reason.

He said that it was more beneficial to encourage peace because violence was capable of making people shy away from exercising their franchise.

“Parties should be free to hold their campaigns anywhere in the state without fear or favour.

“I am ready to support the holding of party campaigns even in my bedroom, in my village too, every party is welcome,” he said.

Tom further called on the security agencies to be very thorough in their responsibilities so that criminals would have no hiding place in the state.

It would be recalled that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) fixed Dec. 10 for re-run elections into some State and National Assembly positions in the state.

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