Ogoni youths charged against thuggery, ballot snatching during polls

From TONY JOHN, Port Harcourt

Youths of Ogoni ethnic nationality in Rivers State,  have been advised not to allow themselves to be used by desperate politicians to cause unrest in the area during the February 25, presidential and National Assembly elections and the March 11 governorship and State Assembly elections.

The appeal was made by the  leader of the Conscience of Ogoni People (COP), Gani Topba,  in Port Harcourt, yesterday.

Topba stated that some politicians were already making efforts to use some youths to carry out violence during the election, adding that youths should not accept to bear arms or involve in ballot snatching.

Topba said politicians in Ogoni, including the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Senator Magnus Abe, should be made to sign undertaken not to sponsor violence during the election.

He said: “No youth of Ogoni should be allowed to carry guns during the presidential and governorship elections.

“Some politicians in Ogoni are making efforts for the youths to carry arms in the election. Senator Magnus Abe and others should be made to sign an undertaken at DSS to ensure a peaceful election in Rivers State and Ogoniland.”

Topba, further, took a swipe at Abe over his alleged comment to repel Criminal Laws of the state if elected governor, stating that such would give impetus to criminality.

“Recently, Abe stated that Anti-cultism law would be repelled. That police will not arrest those who belong to any cult group. This is not acceptable.”