The Think Right Campaign team of Mkpat Enin Peoples Democratic Party’s Chairmanship candidate, Mr. Aniekpon Ekpo, today received massive support and endorsement of the people as the party toured the fifteen wards to campaign for her candidates.

From Ikpa Ibom to Ukpum Minya, Ibiaku to Ikpa Ikono clans, the enthusiasm and warmth receptions were the same, as the campaign train led by both the Chapter Chairman of the Party Rt. Hon. Anietie Sunday, and Director General of the campaign team, Hon. Ubong Ekefre took the ‘FRESH AIR’ mantra to the nooks and crannies of the Local Government Area.

In his message of hope to the supporters, the Chairmanship flag bearer spared nothing at assuring the people that if voted into power, he shall indeed bring in fresh ideas and new approaches to tackle the developmental challenges of the area.

He requested the people to turnout in their numbers and vote for all PDP candidates in their domain, in order to keep on enjoying the domestication of Udom Emmanuel’s excellent performance in the state.
“I am overwhelmed by the show of love and massive support we are already getting from our people. This are indications that indeed better days are coming. I want to assure you that we are coming in with new ideas, fresh approaches to tackle the challenges of our Local Government, and with God on our side, glorious days await us.
“Please, do not fail to come out and vote for PDP on Saturday, PDP has never failed us and we won’t fail you”. He said.

Earlier in his opening remark, the Chapter Chairman of PDP in Mkpat Enin, Rt. Hon. Anietie Sunday applauded the people for keeping faith with PDP since the return of democracy in 1999, he assured the people that the candidates of the party are quality products with the needed capacity for delivery of excellent service to the people. “Across board, the candidates of our party are tested and trusted people, beginning from the Chairmanship candidate, who is an astute academia cum business development expert, if you check the councillorship candidates we have this time around, you will see professionals, such as lawyers, outstanding business men and women, graduates from different fields. These are indications that top class representation and performance awaits us.

“Please let us come out on Saturday and vote for our candidates as usual” he reiterated.

Community leaders, Party leaders at the ward level and other indigenes of Mkpat Enin assured the campaign train of their readiness to ensure that the PDP is given one hundred percent vote come Saturday 31st October 2020.

The Secretary of the Party, Mr. Nse Essien, Publicity Secretary, Hon. Nkeruwem James, Hon. Aniedi Ekanem and many other faithful of the party were in the party’s entourage to the 15 wards in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area.

GENEVA (21 October 2020) – The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle
Bachelet on Wednesday strongly condemned the use of excessive and disproportionate
force by Nigerian armed forces in Lagos on Tuesday evening. She called on the
Nigerian authorities to take urgent steps to deal decisively with the underlying problem
of persistent violations committed by the security forces, and make a far stronger effort
to bring police and army personnel guilty of crimes against civilians to justice.
“While the number of casualties of yesterday’s shooting at the Lekki toll plaza in Lagos
is still not clear, there is little doubt that this was a case of excessive use of force,
resulting in unlawful killings with live ammunition, by Nigerian armed forces,” Bachelet
said. “Reports that CCTV cameras and lighting were deliberately disabled prior to the
shooting are even more disturbing as, if confirmed, they suggest this deplorable attack
on peaceful protestors was premeditated, planned and coordinated.”
“Nigeria was already at boiling point before this shooting because of the revelations
about years of unchecked violence, including alleged killings, rape, extortion and other
violations, by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS),” the UN Human Rights Chief
continued. “While the authorities have now dissolved SARS and announced a series of
inquiries at both Federal and State levels, there have still been few if any charges
levelled against its members despite abundant evidence against various members of
the squad, as well as members of other security forces and the army.”
Many Nigerians appear not to trust the inquiries and other measures that have been
announced by the authorities, and have continued to take to the streets in several cities
to protest. “I appreciate that the Government has taken a number of measures to
address the protestors’ demands,” Bachelet said. “However, the immediate creation of
another elite police SWAT team to replace the SARS — without first addressing some of
the root causes of police violence and putting in place sufficient safeguards to prevent
future violations — has eroded the public’s trust even further. This latest terrible event in
Lagos is like wantonly adding fuel to a fire that was already starting to rage out of
control.”
Bachelet said the way to restore trust and bring back peace to the streets of Nigeria is
for the authorities to take immediate concrete steps to show they are genuinely
committed to tackling impunity, after years of inaction.

There need to be immediate, independent, transparent and thorough investigations, not
just into last night’s killings, but also into all the previous violations committed by
security forces,” Bachelet said. “Those appointed to carry out such investigations must
not only be independent and impartial but must be widely perceived as such. And,
where sufficient evidence already exists to warrant charges, immediate suspension of
officers – including senior officers — suspected of committing serious crimes, should
take place long before the conclusion of such investigations.”
“After so many years of reported violations that have not been adequately dealt with,
there also needs to be a root and branch re-examination of the entire security sector,
and of its civilian oversight,” the High Commissioner added. “This should include a fullscale review of rules of engagement and training systems and methods.”
Bachelet also called for immediate investigations into reports of violent and provocative
attacks on peaceful protestors by unidentified groups armed with cudgels, cutlasses,
sticks or guns, in some cases apparently with the overt backing of police or other
security forces.
“Nigerians, like everyone else, have a fundamental right to peaceful assembly and
protest,” Bachelet said. “The Government has a responsibility to take positive
measures to ensure the realization of this right, including deterring others who intend to
prevent them from protesting peacefully. The world’s attention is now focused sharply
on how Nigeria’s Government and security forces react over the coming days and
weeks.”
The High Commissioner urged the authorities to grant reparations to the victims and to
open extensive dialogue with youth leaders, students and other groups who have been
prominent among the protestors.
“In a population with such a young median age, it is important to listen to the grievances
of the younger generation and make an effort to address the multiple problems they
face, which include — but are far from confined to — police brutality and violations.”

-End-