The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) has described as worrisome and condemnable the recent abduction of the Chairman of Abia State Independent Electoral Commission (ABSIEC), Amb. (Prof.) S. O. Emejuaiwe.
In a swift reaction to the kidnap of the ABSIEC Chairman, who is also the National Chairman of the Forum of State Independent Electoral Commissions of Nigeria (FOSIECON), RSIEC, in a statement released by its Secretary, Arc. Joseph Mgbonu, appealed for the immediate and unconditional release of the Chairman.
RSIEC recalled, with regrets, the consistency of kidnaps of electoral umpires in the past one year, noting that the trend may discourage well-meaning and honest Nigerians from accepting appointments in electoral bodies.
The Commission commiserated with the Governor, the ABSIEC and good people of Abia State on the sad event. It further appealed to the abductors to consider the age of the Chairman as well as his intellectual and other contributions not only to Abia State but the entire country.
Sam Woka
Director Public Affairs and Education
19th May, 2009