Patience Is Responsible For Election Violence In Rivers – Witnesses To Inquiry Commission

Several witnesses who appeared before the Commission of Inquiry to testify over politically motivated killings in Rivers State during the 2015 general elections said the former first lady, Patience Jonathan, is responsible for the series of violence recorded during the polls.

According to the final report of the Inquiry, 94 out of the 97 allegations of killings occurred between November 15, 2014, and April 11, 2015, Premium Times reports.

The Commission was instituted in April by the immediate past Rivers State government, to probe politically motivated killings and destruction of properties before and during the elections.

“Evidence presented to the Inquiry included allegations and perceptions that either the (former) first lady in person on persons claiming to represent her interests, including one Evans Bipi, who is a member of the Rivers State House of Assembly, exercised undue or negative influence on the security agencies in Rivers State or on other persons or entities involved in the violence reported,” the report says.

“The Inquiry was unable to put these allegations to the (former) first lady and could not, therefore, verify or form an independent view of these allegations. They are recorded here as proof that they were made not necessarily as confirmation of the allegations made,” the report says further.

Reportedly, Patience Jonathan was unavailable for comments as she is said to be abroad on vacation with her husband.

Apart from other things, the commission recommended assistance to widows and children of those killed during the political violence.

“For those widows who may be dispossessed because of security issues as a result of the loss of the breadwinner in the family, the Commission recommends that the Government take steps to provide alternative secure accommodation.

“For those of school age, scholarships should be provided to those children up to and including the completion of university education for those who are accepted into university,” the report reads. Details on Premium Times.

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