Don’t deploy troops to rig elections, Elders warn FG
Felix Okoye
Bayelsa Elders Council, (BEC) have asked the Federal government to be cautious in the deployment of troops, especially the soldiers for unlawful duties or to rig the election. They warned that any attempt to manipulate the December 5th Governorship election in Bayelsa State will reverse the gains of democracy in the last 16 years.
The BEC also gave its royal blessing to the incumbent governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson after presenting his administration scorecards in the last four years.
They noted that another four years will afford the incumbent governor to consolidate on the peace, prosperity and development of Bayelsa State. They urged Bayelsans to re-elect Governor Dickson.
While insisting that the sensitive nature of the State, the Elders in a four paragraph communiqué issued at the end of its meeting and signed by Chief Francis Doukpola, (MFR) and Hon. Thompson Okorotie, the Chairman and Publicity Secretary respectively said it would resist any attempt by the Federal government or any of its agency to ignite crisis in the State in the name of politics.
It stated that in as much as it welcomes deployment of soldiers to the State for the December 5, 2015 election, the noble idea should be not be politicized.
It warned the Federal government and its agencies against toying with the existing peace in the state, adding that such moves will be counterproductive.
The communiqué reads in part, “in the interest of peace and security of the State, Council urges all the political parties to ensure that their candidates, leaders, and followers to be of good conduct in accordance with the Peace Accord signed between the candidates and the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), and not to disrupt the prevailing peace in the state, before, during and after the election of December 5, 2015.
“Council welcomes deployment of soldiers to Bayelsa State forDecember 5, 2015 election provided that they are purely for lawful security duties.
“Council also resolved to advise against the proposed dissolution of the Amnesty Programme by December 2015 by the Federal government as such a move will have reaching security implications in the Niger Delta Region.
His Excellency, Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson presented the Restoration government’s scorecard, himself and his Deputy for a second term.
Consequently, Council blessed them in a short ceremony by the first class traditional rulers led by the chairman of the Bayelsa State Council of Traditional rulers.
In attendance at the meeting were; the Chairman of the Council, Chief Francis Doukpola, HRM King Alfred Papapriye Diete-Spiff, Kings Joshua Igbuguru, Joshua Igbagara, Jonathan Kubor, G.A Lawson, Mala Sasime, Napoleon Orianze amongst other royal fathers.
Others included, Chief A.M.Aduba, Senator Inatimi Spiff, Senator John Brambaifa, Professor T.T. Isoun, Hon. T.K.O. Okorotie, Dr. Georgina Ngeri-Nwagha, Chief Alex Ekiotenne, High Chief J.F.Eseimokumor, Major Andrew Oputa, Hon, Augustin Lugbenwei and Elder Zee Debekeme and host of others.
