BAYELSA: INEC, security agencies working against peaceful election – Dickson

Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, alleged on Monday that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies are not working towards a peaceful election in the state.

Dickson stated this during the signing of a peace accord by political parties and their candidates ahead of the November 16 governorship election in the state.

The signing of the peace accord was facilitated by the National Peace Committee led by the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto, Matthew Kukah, who is the Alternate Chairman of the committee.

The governor expressed regrets that while the peace committee was concerned about a peaceful election in the state, INEC and security agencies were not on the same page with the panel.

He said: “Bayelsa is peaceful, but a peaceful Bayelsa is not possible without a peaceful and credible election.

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“Why are only political parties and their candidates asked to sign peace pact? Why not INEC? Why not the REC? Why not the representative of the INEC chairman? Why not the security agencies?

“Our experience shows that our people are not the problem. Our people are also victims of electoral brigandage and terrorism.”

Kukah, who presided over the ceremony, implored the people of BayelsaBayelsa State to imbibe “a peaceful spirit” to engender a peaceful and credible governorship election.

He said: “I want to enjoin you and call upon you to please ensure that we all imbibe the spirit that only the living can participate in politics, and enjoy the dividends of democracy.

“And as we continue in this election, the beauty of democracy and the idea behind the cycle and the timetable is so that we will all have the opportunity to imbibe what is called a political culture, which is an attitude that goes with politics.

“So, every election should actually make us better students and working hard to make sure that violence does not occur.

“Our prayer is that the best candidate should win the election and that subsequently, he or she will help to make Bayelsa a much more peaceful state.”

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