NYSC DG urges politicians in Rivers to shun violence in Saturday polls.

Politicians in Rivers state and their supporters have been advised to ensure that peace prevails in the state during the governorship and House of Assembly elections on Saturday, April 11.

Director- General, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brig.-Gen. Johnson Olawumi, gave the advice on Thursday, April 9, in Port Harcourt while addressing NYSC members in the state.

"I want to use this opportunity to call on politicians in Rivers state that they should please plead with their supporters not to perpetrate violence during the elections,’’ he said.

Olawumi, however, assured no fewer than 4,631 corps members in the state, including those that will participate in the elections, of their safety.

He urged them to go about their electoral duties without fear, saying that it was part of their national assignment.

He advised the corps members against arguments with people on any issue whenever their lives were threatened.

"When you are under threat; if anybody threatens you at gun point, don’t just argue, let him snatch whatever he wants to snatch way.

"Your security is paramount; go back and do your report and we make the report available to Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and result of such place will be cancelled,’’ he said.

The director-general also advised the NYSC members to alert security agencies whenever they sensed danger to enable security personnel rescue them.

"I want you to help us as far as your security is concerned. When you notice that something is going wrong, just quickly make a call and we will get people to come and rescue you,’’ he advised.

He told the corps members to remain neutral while performing the electoral duties, saying, "we want you as much as possible to be very neutral, maintain your neutrality, do not be biased, perform your duty professionally’’