A group, Patriots of Ijaw Nation (PIN), has decried the role of the Bayelsa State governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson, in the violence and attacks that marred the December 5 governorship election in the state.
In a statement on Sunday in Yenagoa, PIN said it was the height of insensitivity and arrogance on the part of Dickson to have set up a commission of inquiry to investigate the violence he had unapologetically sponsored and instigated.
The statement signed on behalf of PIN by its Publicity Secretary, Kesiye Newman, reads: “We note with disgust the decision of the governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson, to establish a judicial commission of inquiry to probe the violence witnessed during the December 5 and 6 elections in Bayelsa State.
“From Odioma to Ekeremor, Oporoma, and other flashpoints in the state during the election, Governor Dickson was a principal actor in the violent attacks that resulted in killings, and even a blind person in the areas where the crisis took place could see it.
“But if there was any doubt by anyone as to the involvement of Dickson in the electoral violence, it was completely erased by the direct incitement to fratricidal violence and murder contained in broadcasts and statements by the governor during the voting exercise.
“Dickson knows without any shadow of doubt that he was directly behind the attacks and killings visited on hapless Bayelsans as they came out to exercise their civic responsibility of voting on December 5 and 6.
“Apart from running riot on the liberties and peace of our communities, Dickson also pointedly told his foot soldiers to manhandle and even kill security operatives and officers of the Independent National Electoral Commission if the outcome of the governorship election did not favour him. Which was what the world saw in many places across the state during the elections.
“The military, police, and other security agencies that oversaw the elections have also since noted the ignoble role of Dickson in the deaths and destructions of the very people the Nigerian constitution principally mandates him to secure.
“Dickson has not deigned to apologise to the people of Bayelsa State or show any sign of remorse for his crimes against the people.
“Now, to add insult to injury, Dickson has set up a judicial commission of inquiry to investigate the same killings the people of Bayelsa State expect him to apologise for instigating. His aim, apparently, is to use the inquiry as a ploy to arrest and further harass persons perceived to be politically opposed to him in the on-going election process. This is the height of arrogance, recklessness, and insensitivity.
“We are dismayed by the silence of the federal government in the face of the treasonable acts and threat to peace by Dickson.
“The inquest commissioned by Dickson is an insult on the collective psyche of the Bayelsa people, especially, those who suffered loss of loved ones, injury, and destruction of property during the riots called by the governor.
“This inquiry is a serious threat to peace in the state. We may be forced to take our destiny in our hands to halt the insult if the relevant authorities fail to call Dickson to order.
“Besides, governorship election is a federal issue and Dickson has no right to dictate the process. And he cannot be a judge in his own case, as he has chosen to be.
“Dickson’s recklessness is reaching new heights that endanger not only Bayelsa State, but the whole country. Dickson must be called to order now!”
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