The Movement for the Survival of the Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta has lamented the rising spate of political violence ahead of the forthcoming general elections in Rivers State.
According to the group, the actors of the political violence were politically immature and insensitive to their socioeconomic environment.
Leadership reported that the MOSIEND president, Kennedy Tonjo West, in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Thursday, urged Rivers politicians to adopt best political behaviour that can enable them promote their interest without destroying relationship built over the years.
The statement read in part, “We wish to register our displeasure over the increasing spate of electoral violence across Rivers State ahead of the 2023 general elections. This approach is out of fashion and has summed the actors and players as politically immature and insensitive to their socioeconomic environment, honestly, we have gone past this stage in our political evolution, over heating the polity and de-marketing the state all in a bid to demonstrate political toughness.
“As electorates, we anticipate the finest of political characters, wit and sagacity in wooing supporters and electorates in a non-violence manner, we anticipate a level playing field for all players irrespective of their party.
“We expect issue-based contestation of ideological approach to development, not inciting statements that triggers violence, hatred and acrimony which is against the ethics and role of the game, election is not a do or die affair. It a game of number not guns or thugs.
“You can’t coerce the electorates to vote for you, you can only entreat or persuade them. Elections will come and go, what happens to the relationship you’ve destroyed for the sake of interest. Rivers’ politicians adopt best political behaviour that can enable players promote their interest without destroying relationship built over the years.”
