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Tag: Bayelsa State

  • APC accuses Gov. Dickson of using thugs to undermine elections in Bayelsa

    APC accuses Gov. Dickson of using thugs to undermine elections in Bayelsa

    The All Progressives Congress (APC), Bayelsa State Chapter, has alleged the use of thugs and other criminal elements by Governor Seriake Dickson and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state to undermine Saturday’s House of Assembly elections.

    APC State Publicity Secretary, Mr. Doifie Buokoribo, said in a statement on Saturday in Okpoama-Brass that armed thugs loyal to the governor and his party were on the loose in a number of communities throughout the polls, rigging for the PDP and intimidating APC members.

    The statement reads, “Just on Thursday, we alerted the Bayelsa public to an evil plot by Governor Seriake Dickson to unleash mayhem during Saturday’s governorship and House of Assembly elections on purpose to intimidate the opposition and impose his candidates in various constituencies of the state.

    “We also warned about his signature tactic of trying to cover up his nefarious acts with smear campaign and fake news against our party, the All Progressives Congress (APC). Dickson, as usual, did not disappoint.

    “On Saturday, thugs sponsored by Dickson and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state went on the rampage in several constituencies of the state, carting away electoral materials, thumb-printing for the PDP, and deploying sundry acts of intimidation against APC members and others opposed the governor and his party.

    “A few of the instances would suffice. Bayelsa State PDP Chairman, Mr. Moses Cliopas, and other PDP leaders, accompanied by armed thugs hijacked all the electoral materials for Saturday’s election in Wards 16 and 17 of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area.

    “It took the intervention of the armed and security forces for the materials to be recovered, and some arrests were made.

    “In Odioma, Brass Local Government Area, the PDP candidate, Barrister Esau Andrew, led thugs to cart away all the electoral materials. Our members were chased out of the community and PDP had a field day with the thumb printing of ballot papers.

    “Odioma is Dickson’s surrogate community. In Brass Constituency 2, Dickson imposed the PDP candidate, Andrew, and he is desperate to ensure his candidates wins. Dickson also used to be a lawyer for this community.

    “In Ogbolomabiri-Nembe, the hometown of the deputy governor, his younger brother, Gabriel Jonah, used thugs to threaten and chase APC agents out of the community.

    “In Sagbama, where Dickson comes from, our members were in hiding for the most part of Saturday for fear of being harmed by the governor and his armed thugs.

    “Quite in his usual style, Dickson went to town on Saturday on a campaign of falsehood, alleging malpractices by our party and pretending to be the victim. While voting was still going on is several areas, he was out and about with his usual fake news to try to divert attention from his immoral ways.

    “APC wishes to restate that elections are not fought on the basis of smear campaign or intimidation, but on the strength of support freely given by the people. This is our strength, it is what APC boasts. Dickson is, certainly, in terrible deficit of such support, and he is doing everything to make up for his lack of quality followership. But he will surely be disappointed.”

     

  • Bayelsa gets police commissioner for Saturday’s election

    The police high command have deployed a Commissioner of Police, Mr Olushola David, for election duty in Bayelsa for Saturday’s house of assembly polls in the state.

    CP David had served in Abia South Senatorial District during the February 23 presidential and National Assembly Elections.

    Speaking with journalists at the Police officers Mess in Yenagoa on Friday, David said his mandate was to create a safe environment that would enable electorate exercise their civic right during the elections.

    “I will ensure that police personnel that would be deployed for Saturday’s election discharge their duties with strict adherence to professionalism,” the CP said.

    He urged residents in the state to steer clear of violence before, during and after the elections.

    Governorship election would hold in Bayelsa later in the year.

     

  • Seriake urges Buhari to restrain abuse of security personnel

    Seriake urges Buhari to restrain abuse of security personnel

    Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson has urged President Muhammadu Buhari and the leadership of the various security agencies to charge their men to be professional in their duties as they resume for election duties in Bayelsa and other states of the South South geopolitical zone.

    A statement by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media Relations, Mr. Fidelis Soriwei, quoted him as having made the comment while reacting to the fresh deployment of troops and other security agents to the state ahead of the Gubernatorial/House of Assembly election scheduled for Saturday,

    The Governor said that it was in the interest of the country and indeed the general good for the President and his security chiefs to place emphasis on professionalism of security personnel on deployment to Bayelsa and other states of the Federation.

    He called on the President to prevail on the security chiefs to ensure that their commanders are professional in the discharge of their security responsibilities to prevent a spontaneous nationwide crisis and instability as a fall out of the elections which are the closest to the people.

    The Governor said that while he was not opposed to the deployment of additional security men to maintain law and order in the Society, he was against what he described as the unholy collusion between soldiers on ground and leaders of political thugs in the state.

    He restated his demand to the Army High Command to redeploy implicated officers and men of the service involved in brazen criminality in the last election.

    He said, “I wish to call on President Muhammadu Buhari to restrain abuse of our security personnel and electoral officers in the next election.

    “The service chiefs and the security commanders must be professional, and emphasize the right thing in all their actions in order not to cause a spontaneous nationwide crisis and instability.

    “The fact is that these elections are grassroots election and it is indeed important that the people are allowed to elect their leaders without subversion from anywhere.

    “I am one of the greatest collaborators on security matters. I have no problem with security deployments to the state, it is a fact that we need people who will do their job in Nembe Bassambiri, and parts of Southern Ijaw where we have experienced unholy collusion between soldiers and security agencies.

    “We as law abiding people want an arrangement that would prevent the criminality and brigandage that marred the Presidential/National Assembly elections so that our people can exercise their right to vote and elect their leaders.”

     

  • Saturday’s election: INEC begins distribution of sensitive materials in Bayelsa

    Saturday’s election: INEC begins distribution of sensitive materials in Bayelsa

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), says it has started the distribution of sensitive election materials for Saturday’s House of Assembly election in Bayelsa.

    Mr Monday Udoh, the state’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), made the disclosure on Thursday in Yenagoa, while addressing journalists on the commission’s readiness to conduct credible and acceptable election on March 9.

    Udoh said that the distribution of the sensitive election materials to the various local government areas commenced on Thursday and would be completed before the end of Friday.

    He warned against engaging in any violent act before, during and after the poll.

    “The commission has made all necessary arrangements to ensure maximum security of lives and property across the state.

    “We had several meetings with various critical stakeholders in the state; we must understand that INEC is not here for the interest of any group or persons but for the interest of Nigerians,’’ he said.

    On the missing card reader machines, the REC said it has recovered additional two, bringing the total number recovered to 22, recalling that 69 machines were stolen.

    Governorship election would hold in Bayelsa later in the year.

     

  • Finally, INEC recovers 20 card readers, 49 still missing in Bayelsa

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), says it has recovered 20 out of the 69 card readers stolen in Bayelsa during the Feb. 23, President and National Assembly elections.

    Mr Monday Udoh, INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in the state disclosed this at a news conference in Yenagoa on Wednesday.

    Udoh, however, failed to disclose specifically how the recovered card readers were found.

    “Actually the missing card reader are 69 but as at this morning, (Wednesday), we have recovered 20; only 49 are still missing.

    “As it is now, the state House of Assembly election of March 9, will not hold in wards and units where we can not recover the card readers as directed by the commission.

    “I urge those in possession of the remaining 49 card readers to return them to avoid facing the full wrath of law,” he said.

    The card readers were stolen in wards and polling units in five Local Governments Areas (LGAs) of the state -Brass, Sagbama, Southern-Ijaw, Nembe and Yenagoa.

    On the March 9 elections, Udoh assured that it would be orderly in the interest of the people of Bayelsa and Nigerians at large.

    “After voting, there will be no collation of results at the INEC headquarters here in Yenagoa, all collation will be done at constituencies headquartres, it will start from the presiding officer in the unit to ward collation officers and then the returning officers in all the constituencies headquartres.

    “We have made all arrangements to ensure that there will be not malfunction of card readers again, we have taken care of all the logistical problems, so that we don’t experience those lapses again as we had on Feb. 23,” he said.

     

  • INEC pleads for return of 63 missing card readers

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Bayelsa, has appealed to those in possession of its 63 missing card readers to return them before Saturday’s elections.

    Recall that INEC on Monday announced that 63 smart card readers used during the Feb. 23 President and National Assembly elections were missing.

    Mr Wilfred Ifogah, Head of Department, INEC Voter Education and Publicity, told NAN on Tuesday that the affected local government areas where the cards were used include Brass, Sagbama, Southern-Ijaw, Nembe and Yenagoa.

    Ifogah said that in Brass Ward 6, Unit 19, one smart card reader was missing, 24 missed in Nembe Wards 1, 4, 12 and 13, while 24 missed in Southern-Ijaw, Wards 1, 2, 3, 12 and 15.

    “Eight card readers are missing in Sagbama Ward 1, Unit 5 and Ward 6 Unit 3, while in Yenagoa six are also missing in Wards 1, 11 and 16.

    “Yes, about 63 card readers are missing. The Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr Monday Udom, has issued a statement that those involved should return them to INEC on or before Wednesday,’’ he said.

    Ifogah said that the commissioner has assured that those in possession of the card readers would not be victimised if they return the items.

     

  • Bayelsa commission on electoral violence begins sitting

    Bayelsa commission on electoral violence begins sitting

    The Commission of Inquiry on election violence set up by Gov. Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa has commenced sitting.

    The commission, which commenced the sitting on Monday, admitted evidences from complainants at the Multi-Door Court House in Yenagoa.

    The Chairman of the commission, Justice Ineikadei Eradiri, said the body would abide strictly with its terms of reference.

    He also said the commission would avoid any matter that bordered on the actual conduct of the Presidential and National Assembly elections held on Feb. 23.

    Eradiri said matters concerning conduct of elections fell within the jurisdiction of the relevant election petition tribunals already set up.

    The chairman, who explained that the commission would hear oral, documentary and other forms of evidence from witnesses, appealed to all those involved to observe the rules of engagement.

    He gave an assurance that the commission would maintain the highest level of independence, fairness, impartiality while abiding by its oath of office.

    Eradiri also called on those with useful information to come forward and testify so as to assist the commission.

    The chairman, who warned that the commission would deal with anyone caught threatening witnesses, urged them to report such matters to the police.

    The Secretary of the Commission, Dr Richard Ogbe, described the commission as apolitical.

    He pledged that the commission would ensure that those involved in violence during the elections in the state were brought to book.

    Ben Dotimiye-Braye, the Lead Counsel to the family of the late Seidougha Taribi who was killed at Oweikorogha Community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state, cross examined his witnesses, Mr Moses Taribi and Mr Doodei Week, who presented evidences to the commission.

    The Counsel to the commission, Prof. Festus Emiri, also cross examined the two witnesses who narrated the circumstances leading to the death of Taribi.

    The inquiry, which continues on Tuesday with more witnesses expected, would end on Friday.

    Recall that the governor had on Feb. 27 set up the commission to ascertain the cause of the violence that characterised the Presidential and National Assembly elections.

     

  • Opu-Nembe women urge Buhari to suspend election in Nembe Bassambiri

    Women in Opu Nembe in Nembe Bassambiri have cried out to President Muhammadu Buhari and the Indepedent National Electoral Commission to suspend the forthcoming election in the troubled community.

    Spokesperson of the Women, Mrs. Sotonye Samuel-Johnson, said in a statement on Monday that the call to postpone the election in the violence ridden community was necessary to safeguard the lives and properties of women and children in the area.

    Samuel-Johnson said that women and children who fled the community to nearby Ogbolomabiri and Yenagoa have not been able to return to their community because of the violence being perpetrated by thugs and allegedly backed by the Army led by Major A. Modibbo Commander of JTF in Nembe.

    She urged the President to direct urgent investigations to the activities of the thugs and their Army collaborators which according to her had assumed a frightening dimension.

    Samuel-Johnson said that the thugs had become so emboldened to the extent of sacking detachments of Mobile policemen and operatives of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence deployed to maintain order in the community.

    She stressed that it had become clearly unsafe for the women folks and their children to return to Nembe Bassambiri during the tensed election period.

    She stated further that the Army which was equipped to deal with such instances of violence had looked the other way for the thugs being led by one Sam Kodjo, an oil surveillance contractor, to subject the community to violence.

    She argued that it would be fool hardy on the part of the women, and their families to return to the besieged communities without being guaranteed of their safety by the security agencies especially the Army which she said has become compromised in the area.

    She said, “We the Opu Nembe Women are making this frantic appeal to President Muhammadu Buhari and the Indepedent Electoral Commission to postpone the forthcoming House òf Assembly election in Nembe Bassambiri as a means of safeguarding the lives of women and children in the area.

    “Several women and children have been displaced in Nembe Bassambiri by the thugs led by Kodjo under the directive of former Governor Timipre Sylva,

    “We are constrained to say here that the APC thugs who enjoy the support of the Army have driven many voters out of the area.

    “As things stand, it is virtually impossible for our people to return to Bassambiri if the security agencies cannot guarantee their safety.”

     

  • Reginald Dei: Govt house photographer shot during elections is dead

    Reginald Dei: Govt house photographer shot during elections is dead

    Reginald Dei, the Bayelsa State Government House Photographer, who was shot by men in Army uniform in Oweikorogha, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area òf Bayelsa State, during the last Presidential and National Assembly elections has died.

    A statement by the Director of Strategic Communication, Governor’s Office, Chief Nathan Egba-Ologo, stated that the photographer died after battling to survive the lethal wounds from the gunshots in a Yenagoa hospital on Sunday night.

    Dei was shot alongside the leader of the PDP in Oweikorogha community, Mr. Seidougha Taribi, while the duo were waiting for the outcome of the election in their ward at the politician’s residence.

    While Dei who was initially taken for dead survived the attack until Sunday night, Taribi died on the spot.

    Egba-Ologo called on the relevant security agencies to investigate the activities of the various security agencies in order to bring the culprits of the dastardly act to book.

    He added that while the state was mourning the unfortunate murder of Taribi and Dei as a result of the brigandage that rocked the parts of the state during the Presidential election, thugs working for APC chieftains have been allowed to wreak havoc in Nembe Bassambiri.

    He said further that the rampaging thugs have sacked the mobile policemen and the operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps on deployment in the besieged community.

    He lamented that the rampaging thugs have dug military fashion trenches in Bassambiri with barricades to harass PDP members in the community and prevent those who fled the community from returning.

    He called on the leadership of the Nigerian Army and the other security agencies to prevent brigandage and a breakdown of law and order in the area ahead of the next elections.

    He urged the security agencies to adhere strictly to their constitutional responsibility to ensure the provision of security and indeed the requisite environment in the next election.

     

  • Dickson is not Bayelsa, APC lashes Governor

    Dickson is not Bayelsa, APC lashes Governor

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State on Thursday lashed out at Governor Seriake Dickson, dismissing as groundless and misguided a statement by the state governor.

    The Bayelsa State Governor in the statement had discredited votes garnered in the state by President Muhammadu Buhari and APC candidates during the last presidential and National Assembly elections.

    In a statement on Thursday in Yenagoa by the APC State Publicity Secretary, Mr. Doifie Buokoribo, the party stressed that Dickson was not Bayelsa State, and Bayelsa State was neither Dickson nor a political party.

    The party also rejected an attempt by Dickson to equate himself with Bayelsa by claiming in the said statement that the state condemned votes polled by APC.

    It advised Dickson to explore democratic option of seeking redress in the courts if he had any grievances about the poll results, instead of plunging into the realm of reckless and enflaming statements.

    The statement reads: “The attention of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bayelsa State Chapter, has been drawn to a recent public statement by the Government of Bayelsa State with the headline: “Governor Dickson urges Nigerians to discountenance concocted votes allotted to Buhari, APC candidates in Bayelsa”.

    “In the statement, the Bayelsa State Government is reported to have rejected votes won by our party in the Presidential and National Assembly elections. “Our state condemns the purported result from constituency 4 of Southern Ijaw and the seven Nembe wards. We want the world and INEC to know that what happened in Nembe Bassambiri and Southern Ijaw Constituency 4 was a blatant assault on the rights of our people”, the statement said more specifically.

    “The APC in Bayelsa State considers the government statement as baseless, ill-advised, and reckless. Dickson is not Bayelsa State. Bayelsa State is not Dickson. Bayelsa State is not a party to the general elections. Bayelsa State Government must not be confused with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    “As a narrow-minded and petty politician, Dickson seems not to realise that he is governor of all, not just PDP. Or are we to assume that APC members in Bayelsa State are from Sudan?

    “The 23 February 2019 elections have taken place, the results collated and winners have emerged. No amount of threat, psychological warfare or fake news can change the results as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The only option open to any aggrieved party is a democratic court of law. As a lawyer, or even governor who has access to a myriad of lawyers, Governor Dickson should know this basic fact.

    “Working in concert with Governor Dickson is the amorphous Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) in Bayelsa State. Created by the PDP, CUPP is demanding fresh elections in Southern Ijaw and Nembe Local Government Councils won by the APC. Our advice to CUPP: go to court!

    “The peace-loving, democracy-minded people of Bayelsa State cannot be made pawns in a crude political game by rogue buccaneers seeking power at all costs”.