Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State, on Wednesday, said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has not given a convincing reassurance of its impartiality in the forthcoming election in the state.
Governor Dickson said that it was rather worrisome and shocking that INEC betrayed the confidence of the Bayelsa people by its collusion with security agencies to rig the last Presidential/National Assembly elections in parts of the state.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Fidelis Soriwei, on Wednesday, stated that Governor Dickson made the comment while speaking on political developments in the state especially the forthcoming election in a live media chat, in Yenagoa, the state capital.
The governor challenged INEC and other state institutions to exhibit a high sense of professionalism by conducting free, fair, credible and peaceful elections come November 16 in accordance with expectations.
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The governor regretted that INEC declared manipulated results in Nembe Bassambiri where security agencies colluded with thugs to chase away voters during the last election to concoct results.
Governor Dickson also called on the security agencies to resettle all internally displaced persons in Bassambiri, Nembe Local Government Area and Peremabiri in Southern Ijaw stressing the need to prevent the disenfranchisement òf voters in the upcoming election.
He urged the leader of the opposition All Progressives Congress in the state, and Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, to collaborate with the state government in ensuring peaceful elections rather than promoting political violence.
His words:”The activities of INEC has not given confidence to Bayelsans. People were driven away from Nembe Bassambiri, and they allowed materials to go into volatile areas to declare manipulated results.
“INEC should do what is right rather than colluding with undesirable elements to perpetrate crime.
“The security agencies should do the right thing to return the displaced people of Nembe Bassambiri to their community so that they can vote in this election.
“The leader of the APC, Chief Timipre Sylva, should renounce political violence. He should collaborate with me to ensure violence free polls. He should respect our people, he should fear God, and not take Bayelsans for granted.”
“I condemn the reign òf brigandage, in the Bayelsa East Senatorial District. Those who carry out the crimes are not facing trial, and that could have a multiplier effect on other areas.”
Governor Dickson who also described the APC as a party in distress, challenged the governorship candidates to hold healthy debates on issues of governance to enable the electorate assess their capabilities.
He said that the decision of the leadership of the APC to give major appointments to defectors into their party could only point to a party without people and structures which is unprepared for election in the state.
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He advised Bayelsans to ignore the sponsored reports of defections into the APC stressing that the elections are not about leaders but the people.
“I Will support a debate between the two leading candidates. We are not arguing for and talking enough. Let them talk so that we can assess them.Running a Government is a serious thing. It is beyond campaign slogans.” He added
The Governor who also commented on the Bayelsa International Airport, said the facility had been registered in the airspace with the technical requirements being concluded and would become operational the next two weeks.
Describing the airport as one of the best in the country, he said the facility will commence operational flights to and from Lagos and Abuja.
“The Bayelsa International Airport is going through the final stages. There are many technical issues to be handled. We should be through with the technical requirements very soon.
“The airport is one of the best, the facilities are among the best in the country, the runway is 3.5 kilometers.
We are rounding off the fencing and the final issues.”
“The Yenagoa International Airport is registered in the airspace. We have entered into agreements with some air lines. Our plan is to operate flights to and from Lagos and Abuja.”
On the issue of the minimum wage, Governor Dickson assured that his administration would not hesitate to implement any agreement reached on the issue it in line with what is applicable to other states.
Commenting on the collapsed Elebele bridge in Ogbia local government area, Governor Dickson assured that a temporary measure would be provided to alleviate the plight of the people pending when a permanent solution would be put in place.