The Bayelsa Political Watch has sounded the alarm over an alleged plot to manipulate the upcoming gubernatorial election in Bayelsa state through violence, prompting concerns regarding the safety and fairness of the electoral process.
The group has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to be vigilant and resist any inducements to partake in this purported plot to subvert the election in the state. Furthermore, the group has urged the country’s security chiefs to take immediate action to prevent further violence in Nembe Bassambiri, a locality within the Nembe Local Government Area of the state.
Nadione Harrison, the Coordinator of the Bayelsa Political Watch, emphasized the importance of collaboration between the State Government and security agencies, irrespective of political differences, to safeguard lives and property on Election Day. He also urged the candidates in the November 11 polls to prioritize the protection of Bayelsa citizens and not resort to violence in their pursuit of political power.
The group raised concerns about the sanctity of lives and property in Bayelsa and the potential for repeated violence in Nembe Bassabiri. They referenced the political violence and fatalities that occurred in the area on August 12, and the fact that similar violence in Opu Nembe (Bassambiri) resulted in over 22 casualties during the pre-election period in 2019.
Nadione stressed that it is alarming that those responsible for the violence and killings in the past have not been brought to justice, underscoring the need for a change in the approach to winning elections. He called for intensified political campaigns to appeal to voters instead of resorting to arms, ammunition, and the tragic loss of innocent lives, as was seen in Opu Nembe.
The group expressed its concerns about deploying innocent Corps members to regions with a history of violence, especially without assurances from security agencies and INEC.
In addition, the group commended the State Government for its decision to prohibit the activities of the Council of Chiefs and Youths’ Council in Opu-Nembe on September 2, with the aim of restoring public peace and order. This decision was seen as a reflection of the government’s commitment to protecting lives and property.
The group called on security agencies and INEC to pay special attention to violence-prone areas in Bayelsa as the gubernatorial election approaches, given the recent politically-related violence in Opu Nembe. They emphasized the need for proactive measures to prevent further loss of lives and to ensure a peaceful and credible electoral process.
The statement read in part; “As the governorship election in Bayelsa draws closer, we find it necessary to call on the security agencies and the Indepedent national election commission to focus special attention on violence prone areas in the state.
“The recent politically related killings in Opu Nembe on August 12, a few months to the election makes it necessary for the appropriate agencies to take proactive measures to prevent further loss of lives.
“This state cannot forget in a hurry the mindless slaughter of 22 persons in the last gubernatorial election in the state. We are of the view that such heinous crimes committed under the cover of politics can be prevented.
“We commend the state Governor, Senator Douye Diri, for the proactive step of banning activities of Council of Chiefs and Youths’ Counci in the volatile area.
“It is important to note that no parent would readily allow his ward to be deployed as corp members to carry out election duties in areas where desperate politicians can cut short their lives.”
