By Olusegun Adeosun
Governor of Bayelsa State, Seriake Dickson, at a special briefing on Sunday, said his administration will set up a Commission of Inquiry to investigate the political killings and other related offences committed during last Saturday’s presidential and National Assembly elections.
He made declaration at a special media chat held in Yenagoa, the state capital.
Dickson who expressed sadness over the shooting of Government House Photographer, Reginald Dei, and gruesome murder of PDP members, including the Ward Chairman In Oweikorogha community, Mr. Seidougha Taribi, sympathisezd with their families over the killings.
Dickson assured that appropriate actions would be taken against those found culpable, pointing out that the outcome of the inquiry would be made available to all appropriate quarters including foreign missions.
The governor accused Nigeria’s military authorities, particularly the General Officer Commanding, 6th Division of the Nigerian Army, of subverting the will of the people in the electoral process in the state. Dickson decried alleged unlawful orders issued by the GOC to officers and men who he accused of providing cover for APC leaders and thugs to carry out electoral fraud in some parts of the state.
Dickson condemned the killings and hijacking of electoral materials in areas such as Bassambiri, Oluasiri, Opu Nembe, Agbere, Oweikorogha, Apoi, Azuzuama and Korokorosei, as well as taking hostage of officers in a hotel at Bassambiri, describing the acts as terrorism.
“It is unfortunate that the GOC has turned this Division to be the most politicized in the country. Illegitimate orders were issued where a General and officers were seen escorting politicians and supervising elections in Bayelsa. That is how the military particularly the Nigerian Army has reduced its integrity,”Dickson said.
