Bayelsa Guber: Dickson Urges US to Ensure Neutrality from INEC, Security Forces

Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, on Wednesday called on the United States Mission in Nigeria and the international community to prevail on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security forces and other key agencies of the state to ensure neutrality in the November 16 governorship election in the state.

A statement by the governor's Special Adviser on Public Affairs, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, said the governor made the appeal when he received the Deputy Chief of US Missions in Nigeria, Kathleen Fitzgibbon, at the Government House in Yenagoa, the state capital.

The governor also thanked the US and friends of Nigeria for their interest in the conduct of elections in the country, especially the electoral process, which he said is more important than the outcome.

He urged the international community to pay special attention to the state, and not limit their scope to Lagos and Abuja.

Dickson recalled the wanton destruction of lives and property and the 'unprofessional conduct' on the part of INEC and security agencies, mostly the Army, during the last general election in the state.

According to him, “I know that there are some challenges and this is one state that has challenges during election. Challenges of how to restrain the youths, of power, of how to support the institutions and agencies of state whose neutrality should be most importantly clear. Killings and all kinds of crimes always take place in the name of elections.

“We know the importance of your visit. So we call on your Mission to show more support to the agencies of state, INEC, and the law enforcement agencies, and keep making the point about the need for neutrality, and to also use your very wonderful network and access to raise this concern.

“So I look forward to working with you and your team in the area of information sharing as well as letting the people know when we see the red flags. Your interest is legitimate to me.”

The governor also appealed to the Mission to keep engaging the opposition parties in the state to propagate a violence-free governorship election, noting that the poll is about his successor and legacies.

He further called for understanding and partnership in peacebuilding and development, stressing that his administration has succeeded in stabilising the state through targeted investment in critical sectors like education, health, infrastructure, and human capacity development among others.

Earlier, the Deputy Chief of US Missions in Nigeria, Fitzgibbon, said the delegation was in the state to ascertain the challenges that could hinder the conduct of the November 16 governorship election.

Fitzgibbon assured Dickson that the Mission was focused on engaging the federal government, international community and other critical stakeholders to ensure peaceful, credible, fair and hitch-free election in the state.