Polls: Bayelsa Panel Invites Sylva, Lokpobiri, NDDC Boss, Others

Former Governor Timipre Sylva, leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State, has been invited by the state’s Judicial Commission of Inquiry investigating the violence that marred the 2019 general elections in parts of the state to appear before the commission to answer to allegations levelled against him.
The six-member panel chaired by Justice IneikadeEradiri was inaugurated by Governor Seriake Dickson on February 27, 2019.
Apart from Sylva, other APC chieftains invited by the commission are Israel Sunny-Goli, a current member of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly representing Brass Constituency 1; Professor Nelson Brambaifa, the Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC); Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development; and Famous Daunemigha, candidate of the APC for the Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency in the polls.
The names of the APC chieftains had come up prominently during the sittings and the commission was inviting them to clear their names of sundry allegations.
Their invitation followed an order granted the police by Justice OkonAbang of the Federal High Court, Abuja, to arrest Sunny-Goli; one Sam Kodjo, an oil surveillance contractor, and others for alleged complicity in the February 23, 2019 attack and abduction of Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mr. Kola Okunlola in Brass.
The commission of inquiry, which has received written and oral testimonies on the roles played by politicians since it commenced sitting in Yenagoa, heard the testimonies of eight fresh witnesses, during its sitting yesterday.
Mr. DaupirimoIkuromo, the Commissioner for Transport, who was led in evidence by the commission’s counsel, Professor Festus Emiri, said despite the peace accord signed, thugs allegedly loyal to Sylva forced the leadership of Okpoama and Ewoama communities to compel their people to vote only in favour of the APC.