From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
Bayelsa Elders Council (BEC) on Sunday rose from its three hours meeting, telling the Federal Government to be cautious in the deployment of troops, especially the soldiers for unlawful duties or to rig the election.
They warned that any attempt to manipulate the December 5 governorship election in Bayelsa State would reverse the gains of democracy in the last 16 years.
Also, the council gave its royal blessing to the incumbent governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson, after presenting his administration’s scorecards in the last four years. They noted that another four years would afford the incumbent governor the opportunity to consolidate on the peace, prosperity and development of the state. They urged Bayelsans to re-elect Governor Dickson.
Noting the sensitive nature of the state, the Elders in a four paragraph communiqué issued at the end of its meeting and signed by Chief Francis Doukpola and Hon. Thompson Okorotie, the Chairman and Publicity Secretary, respectively, said it would resist any attempt by the Federal Government or any of its agencies to ignite crisis in the state in the name of politics.
It stated that in as much as it welcomed deployment of soldiers to the state for the December 5, 2015 election, the noble idea should not be politicised.
It warned the Federal Government and its agencies against toying with the existing peace in the state, adding that such moves would be counter-productive.
The communiqué reads: “In the interest of peace and security of the state, council urges all the political parties to ensure that their candidates, leaders and followers 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.
“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 the Federal government in December 2015, as such a move would have far-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 Chairman of the Bayelsa State Council of Traditional rulers.” In attendance at the meeting were the Chairman of the Council, Chief Francis Doukpola, King Alfred Papapriye Diete-Spiff, Kings Joshua Igbuguru, Joshua Igbagara, Jonathan Kubor, G.A Lawson, Mala Sasime, Napoleon Orianze, among other royal fathers.
Also, the list included, Chief A.M.Aduba, Senator Inatimi Spiff, Senator John Brambaifa, Professor T.T. Isoun, Hon. T.K.O. Okorotie, Dr. Georgina Ngeri-Nwagha, Chief Alex Ekiotenne, High Chief J.F.Eseimokumor, Major Andrew Oputa, Hon. Augustin Lugbenwei and Elder Zee Debekeme and a host of others.