The Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Yekini Nabena, has joined traditional rulers in Bayelsa state in raising alarm over weapons being stockpiled in the state ahead of the November 16 governorship election.
“Bayelsa state is being transformed to a war zone ahead of the election. Governor Seriake Dickson has seen clearly that defeat is imminent for his candidate and has now resorted to deploy violence to force his will on the people.” Nabena told newsmen Thursday in Abuja during his regular media interaction.
“Recently, traditional rulers in Bayelsa state reported to INEC on the arms stockpile in the state which is happening on the watch of the current state government. As the INEC chairman stated, traditional rulers don’t belong to any political party, and they don’t support any candidate, so our security agencies cannot afford to fold their hand on this, we must take their reports very seriously. We have a duty to protect INEC and the voters to ensure free and safe elections.” He said.
The Bayelsa-born APC chieftain called on heads of security agencies to closely monitor the operations of their personnel in the state before and during the governorship election.
“Coupled with the state security outfit, Operation Doo Akpo which Governor Dickson is using to harass political opponents in his party PDP and APC members, supporters and leaders in the state ahead of the governorship election, the Governor has also boasted openly that he has the money pay the police and army, including their retirement benefits if they work for him in the elections. He has gone ahead to set up an army and police base in his village. (Toru-Orua). The Inspector General of Police and Chief of Army Staff must not allow this happen.
“Which money is Governor Dickson relying on to rig the election? It is the federal allocation meant for Bayelsans. I call on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and particularly the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit to monitor deployment of Bayelsa funds.” He said.
Nabena said the people of Bayelsa are ready to defend their votes and reject the Peoples Democratic Party’s candidate and Governor Dickson’s stooge.
“The popular APC candidacy of David Lyon has thrown the camp of governor dickson into disarray. The recent wave of high profile defections from the PDP to the APC is clear proof that the wind of change is blowing across the state. Governor Dickson’s rigging and intimidation plans will fail because Bayelsans are ready to defend their votes.” He said.
When asked about the chances of APC considering that the ruling PDP in the state has been in power since 1999, the APC deputy spokesman said Bayelsans are currently rooting for change.
“This coming governorship election in Bayelsa state is not about being in power for years, its about people saying they are tired of inefficient and lack of development that has dragged the state backward. The people want change and they are ready to embrace APC fully in this November 16th governorship election,” the APC chieftain stated.
