Governor Henry Seriake Dickson has revealed that he visited President Muhammadu Buhari at Aso Rock Villa, Abuja, last week to discuss the security situation in Bayelsa ahead of this Saturday’s supplementary election in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area and 101 polling units in six councils.
Dickson, who said he was deeply worried over the desperation of All Progressives Congress (APC) to take over power, said he raised security concerns with Buhari over the role of some officials who will handle the election in Yenagoa.
Speaking at a world press conference held at the Government House Banquet Hall, he commended Buhari for granting him audience during the Yuletide and for assuring him that things would be handled properly.
“I want to thank the President for granting me audience despite his tight scheduled during the Yuletide. I also want to commend him for giving me assurance that all issues I have raised would be looked into. I have raised the issues of moves to undermine national security by using key federal institutions for personal interest. I have raised the issue of stock-piling of arms ahead of the January 9 election”
Dickson lamented the moves to change the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Nasiru Oki for allegedly not doing the bidding of the APC and the campaign of calumny against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“Anytime heads of institutions are changed because they don’t do the bidding of one person, such actions destroy such institutions. This is about the third time; they are changing the Commissioner of Police. Mr. Paul Okafor was first changed and was replaced by M. Nasiru Oki. Now, I heard that before the election, a new commissioner of police would resume in the state. I am also aware of the campaign of calumny against INEC. Concerted efforts are being made to undermine critical national institutions.”
He noted that voters in the 101 wards and in Southern Ijaw LGA are more determined now to vote the Peoples Democratic Party( PDP) because of the dividends of democracy his administration has bequeathed to the people.
“The institutions that are responsible to ensure the people of Southern Ijaw vote should be in the interest of this country; in the interest of Nigeria’s fledgling democracy should do their part and allow the people of Southern Ijaw cast their votes in a free and fair atmosphere. Whoever has a duty to protect the voters should for God’s sake do it. I have raised aberrations about the conduct of some officials of national institutions and I have received assurance that things are being handled. I want to remind heads of strategic institutions to stop the use of these institutions to serve personal interest. I want to call on law enforcement agencies to do their jobs. This election is not about me, it is about the integrity of our democracy and national institutions”
Dickson, who described the APC candidate, Chief Timipre Sylva, as his brother and friend, noted that though he disagreed with his brand of politics, he is extending his hands of fellowship so that they can join hands with his administration to build a better Bayelsa.
He urged all PDP members and his supporters to remain law-abiding and resist attempt to foment trouble as the Bayelsans would once again reject the APC and vote the PDP.