Rivers rerun : Wike swears in judicial commission of inquiry

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike on Wednesday swore in the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the violence / killings that negatively affected the March 19 rerun legislative elections, with a charge to the commission to get to the root of the matter.

The governor also on Wednesday swore in Ugbana Isaruk as a Commissioner in the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, RSIEC. Mr Isaruk replaces a late member of the commission.

Swearing in the members of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry under the chairmanship of Justice Monima Wenike Danagogo, Governor Wike decried the violence witnessed during the rerun elections, saying that it was necessary to ascertain the root causes with a view to checking a recurrence in the future.

He charged the Judicial Commission of Inquiry to identify those involved in the killings, those killed and the scope of violence during the elections.

The governor also charged the Judicial Commission of Inquiry to identify property damaged in the course of the violence and the owners of such property.

He urged the Chairman of the Judicial Commission of Inquiry to use his experience to guide other members towards making necessary recommendations that will enhance political stability and peace in the state.

He said :"The commission has one month beginning today to submit its report. We must know those involved in the violence and killings.

"We must get to the root of the violence and killings during the March 19 rerun elections. Since we were not at the location of the violence, we rely on the Judicial Commission of Inquiry to investigate what took place ".

To the new member of RSIEC, the governor advised him to join other members of the commission to deliver credible elections.

Responding, Justice Monima Wenike Danagogo assured the governor that the commission will work without fear or favour.