To mourn the lives lost in Rivers state during the last general election, on Monday members of the All Progressives Congress, held a march tagged: ‘Rivers Black Day, against election violence.

Leading the march was the Rivers APC governorship candidate, Dakuku Peterside, who delivered the speech below.

“I would like to thank all who took pains to attend this programme. Some of you are here as active participants. For that I say may God reward you for your thoughtfulness and commitment to the general cause of political reorientation towards peace and right of choice.

Some of you are here as critical observers. We hope your experiences might be extrapolated for the greater good of deepening democratic ideals. For the passive observers who are here out of curiosity, we hope that you will end up taking up deeper interest in the war against political violence.

We are gathered here for a purpose that is paradoxical. We are simultaneously mourning and celebrating our brothers and sisters whose lives were cut short by the inexplicable violence that characterized the general elections in Rivers State in March and April this year.

It is violence that has continued till today, merely mutating and transforming – from attacks before and during the general elections, now we suffer kidnappings, armed robberies, and assassinations by persons who are yet to be dispossessed of the guns with which they were “empowered”.

Fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters and friends were attacked and killed in their homes in cold blood because of their political leanings. Some were attacked and killed while they were on their way to attend campaign rallies. Our campaign venues were victims of explosive devices and outright attacks by gun men.

These were intimations of more unpleasant scenarios. On election days ordinary citizens who wished to cast their votes as enshrined in the Statutes of our land were killed or maimed by trigger-happy and dagger wielding political thugs and mercenaries. In some cases, at polling units, elderly persons were beaten until their hearts literally stopped beating.

Our brothers and sisters died because some politicians who were consumed with vaulting and inordinate ambition engaged in horse trading. More than 100 innocent persons were killed, victims of the evil acts of desperate politicians. You have heard chilling stories from their families, but for the sensitivity of our sensibilities, I wish not to recant that narratives here. Unfortunately, till date not a single person has been prosecuted for these crimes against humanity.

Brothers and sisters, we are here to commemorate the memories of these victims of political violence. For us, they were not just victims but martyrs. They constitute the “strong breed” who have taken our collective burden to ensure the survival of democracy particularly in
Rivers State and Nigeria in general. It would be callous of us not to remember and celebrate their sacrificial but untimely deaths.

This commemoration is the more necessary because law enforcement Agencies have not provided any form of succour to the families and friends of these victims by bringing to book the perpetrators of the heinous crimes. We will therefore not shirk our moral obligation to continue to advocate for justice for these our fallen brethren.

That is the whole essence of Rivers Black Day. To mourn and celebrate these martyrs of democracy; as well as cry out to God to show mercy on us as a people whose land has been polluted by the blood of innocent persons.

Recall that we humans learn by relating previous experiences with current ones. Thus, what is the lesson from the tragedy of more than 100 human beings murdered as a result of immoderate political ambition? It raises questions about the character of those who want to lead us and the orientation of our political class.

In accordance with the propositions of ancient Philosophers, that politics should be reserved for those with the character and experience required to make policy; I urge us therefore, that in all our dealings to always appreciate the sanctity of human life, and fashion out ways on how to direct the less enlightened in civic and civil conducts.

We have recognized that at all times and in all situations we are “Greater Together”. Hence, today together we stand to say NO to any form of political intimidation and violence in our land. Brothers and sisters, welcome to Rivers Black Day, a day dedicated to the memories
of more than 100 persons who were killed.

May their gentle souls rest in peace in the bosom of the Lord. Amen.”

See below photos from the march:

Kolapo Olapoju