South South group cautions FG on Rivers re-run probe

The Association of South South Media Professionals (ASSOMP) has called on the federal government to exercise caution over the police investigation into the allegation of malpractices in the last legislative re-run elections in Rivers State.

The group, in a statement yesterday by its secretary, George Emine, said: “We are aware of the tendency of security agencies to grandstand in an attempt to please the government in power, but the government has to be careful in managing such tendencies so that the man on the street would continue to see government as unbiased and fair to all.”

The group, therefore, advised the federal government to ensure that it prevailed upon the joint investigation panel to be fair to all, and not spare anyone involved in electoral malpractice irrespective of political affiliation.

It also advised government to exercise caution on its war against corruption as not only Nigerians are watching but the world at large.

“While we want to totally align with the federal government in its fight against corruption, including electoral malpractices and the recent interest shown in addressing the problems of the region, we warn that any politicisation of serious matters like this investigation would not be in the best interest of peace,” the statement said.