Bayelsa elders vow to resist rigging

The Bayelsa Elders Council (BEC) has warned against any attempt to rig the December 5 governorship election in the state, saying such move could reverse the gains of democracy in the last 16 years.

The council said it was not against the deployment of soldiers but made it clear that troops sent to the state for “unlawful duties” will have a tough time.

BEC expressed satisfaction with the scorecard of the administration of Seriake Dickson in the last four years, saying “another four years will afford the incumbent governor to consolidate on the peace, prosperity and development of Bayelsa state”

“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,” read a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting and signed by Francis Doukpola, chairman of BEC and Thompson Okorotie, its publicity secretary.

“Council welcomes deployment of soldiers to Bayelsa State for December 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: Alfred Papapriye Diete-Spiff, Joshua Igbuguru, Joshua Igbagara, Jonathan Kubor, G.A Lawson, Mala Sasime, Napoleon Orianze and notable other royal fathers.

A.M.Aduba, Inatimi Spiff, John Brambaifa, T.T. Isoun, T.K.O. Okorotie, Georgina Ngeri-Nwagha, Alex Ekiotenne, J.F.Eseimokumor, Andrew Oputa, Augustin Lugbenwei and Zee Debekeme, were also at the occasion.