RIVERS STATE; A political culture of violence unlimited By Ugo Egbujo

In the end, Rivers is our shame. A political culture of violence unlimited
Every leader in Rivers state steals elections. And that has been since the second republic. They dont just steal it. They use guns. They spill blood.
They have made it a culture. Awuse, Odili, Amaechi , Wike. All of them. They are same political family. Though some are much more violent than others.
They are all culpable. They make everywhere tense. They steal electoral materials . They falsify figures rampantly.
The extremely violent ones amongst them can slaughter electoral officials whom they cant bribe. Stubborn opponents have been beheaded. It's wicked.
But who can blame them? It has become the system. Nobody has been punished. People have become lords simply by passing violence around.
So who can stop them?
Where are the adults in Rivers state?
Unfortunately even their Bishops and traditional rulers have become part of the crisis.
What sort of politicians depend on the military and militants to win elections? They are normal politicians. They play by the rules.
The rules in Rivers are unfortunately different.

In 2015, no elections held in Rivers. The military and militants were used to scare away the opposition then. International observers fled. Some persons benefited from the armed robbery.
And that reinforced that culture.
The opposition was prevented by militants and cultists from campaigning in home of the then First Lady. Children watched and shook their heads.
So those who stole were rewarded.
After 2015 cultists took over the state. And grounded whole local governments. Where were they supposed to work after their election duties?
The military was brought in to restore some peace. All repeat elections that held since 2015 have been utterly farcical. The military is the soul of the everyday security architecture of Rivers
We always pretend not to know.
In 2019, no real elections held in in Rivers. People have simply laid their hands on all instruments of violence and subterfuge they can find. They are playing by the rules.
The military, police and militants are being free used like mercenaries. Militants own the streets. Shoot the opponents of their principals. People's homes are searched at will by soldiers. Soldiers and policemen roam the streets like buccaneers.
What sort of politicians are these? They would have been different if they were in Lagos.
Thats the truth.
Look at the contest in Kano. Look at that in even volatile Plateau. Look at that in Oyo.

Why is Rivers exceptionally violent?
I am not one of those who think the military shouldn't be in Rivers. That's hypocrisy. Naive idealism.
If the military is removed from Rivers only the owners of militants and cultists will win elections there. The police are incapable of withstanding the militants.
Ask the oil companies and their workers.
So first things first.
Rivers must be cleared of all traces of active militancy.
Rivers politics must be disinfected. Too many wasps and bees. The level violence in Rivers will deter serious investments.
But why do people cheer and support these buccaneers? why is there no real moral outrage on the streets?
They know its been the system. And unfortunately they are not fed up yet.
It's our collective shame