Politics
Group Hails Military Over Bayelsa Poll
Watch Election, a Non-
Governmental organisation, has absolved the army of complicity in the inconclusive gubernatorial election in Bayelsa State.
The National Coordinator, Mr Fez Chinweizu, while speaking to newsmen on Tuesday in Port Harcourt said that the army should rather be commended for its display of professionalism during the poll.
Chinweizu noted that the army was timely in its intervention in several trouble prone areas of the state, especially in Oporoma area in Southern Ijaw, Bayelsa.
He explained that the state would have witnessed more serious incidents but for the effective exhibition of military professionalism by the army.
According to him,”The army is not responsible to interface with the INEC officials and electoral materials because it is not in their election mandate to do so.
“As a group that was deeply involved in the monitoring of the election, we make bold to say that the army did its best’’ he said.
He stated that instead of blaming the army, the police authorities should ensure better preparations for election duties.
“It is worrisome that of about 200 policemen said to have been deployed to southern Ijaw, only 50 of them had weapons, this was grossly inadequate.
“It showed clearly that the number of policemen posted to some areas was inadequate, they also did not have weapons to enable them work effectively.
“Thereafter, hoodlums with purportedly political affinity started shooting sporadically which led to the army intervening in the fracas that ensued,” he said.
Chinweizu said that about 200 policemen were stranded at a jetty in Yenagoa due to their inability to get boats to convey them to their duty post.
He said that by the time the army stabilized the situation, it was already 3pm, hence the extension of the election to December 6.
“If not for the army’s prompt intervention, the hoodlums’ intention was to scare everybody away including the INEC officials to enable them cart away election materials.
Chinweizu noted that 15 suspects were arrested during the confrontation, while another 51 political thugs involved in election related offences were in police custody.
According to him, inflammatory campaigns and incitement against the military that went round should be discouraged.
Chinweizu called on security agencies, particularly the police to provide adequate personnel to cover the 417 polling stations in Southern Ijaw on election day.
Accordingg to the statement, the Board and National Executive Committee of PANDEF, noted with very grave concern the recent spate of political developments in Rivers State.
“Regrettably, these developments have now degenerated into the decision of the Rivers State House of Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against the governor and deputy governor.
“This is a deeply disturbing situation that demands urgent attention in order to forestall further escalation and breakdown of law and order.
“This concern is heightened by the critical importance and strategic centrality of Rivers to the Niger Delta region and to the broader socio-political stability and economic wellbeing of Nigeria as a whole”, the statement said.
The Forum called on all parties involved in the resurgent political imbroglio to sheathe their swords and embrace peace.
“This should be guided by the principles of give-and-take, dialogue, tolerance, and political equanimity.
“All stakeholders must place paramount importance on peace, development and the welfare of the people of Rivers.
“We must now focus squarely on good governance and development of the state,” the Forum said.
PANDEF commended President Bola Tinubu, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), respected elders of Rivers State, and other well-meaning Nigerians for their previous and ongoing efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability in the state.
Speaking in an interview on Saturday, January 10, Chief Sara-Igbe alleged that the minister had flouted regulations governing the commencement of electioneering campaigns by moving from one local government area to another to galvanise political support.
According to him, the action amounted to a clear breach of electoral guidelines being carried out with a troubling sense of impunity that could undermine the rule of law.
“Wike has violated the electoral laws of campaigning by going from local government to local government to talk to the people. He travelled from one local government to another. As a result of his visits to local government areas, he has broken election regulations and continues to do all these things without fear of repercussions”, Chief Sara-Igbe said.
The remarks came as Chief Wike was set to round off a state-wide “thank-you” tour that covered all 23 local government areas of Rivers State.
Although the minister had described the tour as an appreciation visit following support for President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 general elections, critics say the engagements have assumed an overtly political character.
Observers note that during several stops, including recent visits to Andoni and Bonny local government areas, the minister rallied supporters across party lines under what he termed a “Rainbow Coalition,” a move widely interpreted as part of a broader political strategy.
During these engagements, Chief Wike was also reported to have made remarks perceived as a veiled challenge to the authority of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, while repeatedly referencing the 2027 elections and urging supporters to prepare to “correct the mistake” of 2023.
Chief Sara-Igbe warned that allowing such activities to continue unchecked could erode public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process and called on relevant authorities to enforce existing laws without fear or favour.
The Commission, in a statement on Wednesday, claimed that there were plans by the same group to escalate a smear campaign against its Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, to frustrate ongoing investigations and prosecutions involving prominent individuals.
The statement endorsed by the agency’s spokesman, Mr Dele Oyewale, claimed that the action was intended to distract the Commission through unfounded allegations of political bias in the discharge of its duties.
The EFCC warned that it would not stand by and watch “those recruited into this ignoble enterprise” or allow any attempt to derail it from “the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.”
The Commission made it clear that those recruited into this venture were under close watch, adding that it would not tolerate any attempt to distract it from the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.
“The EFCC reiterates its non-political stance in all its activities. Facts on the ground clearly show that any political actor belonging to the ruling party or opposition party, with corruption baggage, has no hiding place from the operational radar and dynamics of the Commission.
“As a matter of fact, several strong members of the ruling and opposition parties are either facing trial before the courts or being investigated by the Commission.
“It is needful that Nigerians appreciate the fact that the Commission is keeping faith with its Establishment Act in all its operations.
“Therefore, the Commission reiterates its commitment to justice, without fear or favour, in the fulfilment of its mandate,” the statement pointed out.