The Rivers State Government demands 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, simply for being members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Their fate is the same with thousands of PDP supporters who were brutalized, arrested, shot at, and even killed by the military and thugs of the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the rerun elections on Saturday.
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.
Kenneth Kobani has been chained to a chair overnight, and denied his medication, despite his failing health.
We strongly condemn this dehumanizing treatment, and call for the release of all those detained.
Signed :
Dr Austin Tam-George, Commissioner for Information and Communication, Rivers State.
