Nigeria

Bayelsa election: Army deserves commendation not vilification - Group tells Governor Dickson

Sunday, November 17, 2019 at 9:55 AM by Nnenna Ibeh

- The attack on the Nigerian Army and other security agencies by the Bayelsa state governor has been condemned by a civil society organisation

- The organisation called on Governor Dickson to commend the efforts of the Army and its personnel rather than vilify them

- According to the organisation, Governor Dickson is plotting to truncate the election meant to produce his successor

A civil society organisation has condemned the attack on the Nigerian Army by the governor of Bayelsa state, Seriake Dickson.

The Centre for Democracy and Change (CDC) said the Nigerian Army and other security operatives working to maintain peace and sanity in the state at the governorship polls deserve massive commendation and not vilification.

Speaking at the press conference in Yenogoa on Sunday, November 17, the group warned that the vilification of the Nigerian Army by the governor is uncalled for.

Dickson had called for the cancellation of the election insinuating that the security agencies are conniving with the All Progressives Congress.

Read also

Miyetti Allah did not claim responsibility for killings in Benue, says Onyema

However, in its reaction, the CDC accused Dickson of plotting to truncate the election meant to produce his successor.

The executive director of the CDD, Gbenga Badamosi, alleged that Dickson and his likes would have had a field day if not for the brave soldiers on ground to support the police and other security agencies.

While calling Dickson to order, CDC, however, apprised the governor that he will be held criminally liable for any breach of the peace in his state.

Gbadamosi said: "CDC elections observers are on the ground in Bayelsa state and at no time did we witness the incidents that the Governor claimed to have occurred."

He added that neither local nor foreign observers have made any comment as to the conduct of the election along the line that Dickson did.

"We consequently call Mr Seriake Dickson to order even as we warn that he shall be held criminally liable for any breach of the peace in Bayelsa state arising from his incitement of the populace against military and security personnel on election duty," Badamosi added.