Bayelsa 2019: Six out of 24 aspirants sign peace treaty

Six out of about 24 aspirants that have purchased nomination forms for the November 16, 2019 governorship election in Bayelsa State, yesterday, in Yenagoa, the state capital, signed a non-violence agreement as part of their commitment to achieving a free and credible poll. Out of the 22 aspriants from the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), only five were in attendance. One also came from the APC.

The signing and affirmation of the peace agreement took place at a stakeholders’ conference organized by the Ijaw Elders’ Forum, Lagos State Chapter in Yenagoa, to sensitize the people on the need for a violence-free election.

The signatories to the agreement include former Attorney General of the state and the first Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) from the state, Chief Anthony George-Ikoli, the Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (retd), Dr. F. Erepamo Osaisai, Kemela Okara, Mrs Diseye Nsirim Poweigha ,  Ambassador Godknows Bolade Igali, and Eneyi Zidougha. The only woman amongst the aspirants, Mrs Poweigha, a retired Commissioner of Police is from the ruling All Progressives Congress. The rest are from the mainstream party in the state, the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP).

Those conspicuously absent include Sen. Heneiken Lokpobiri of (APC), Timi Alaibe (PDP), Arch Reuben Okoya, Mr Joshua Maciver, Keniebi Okoko, Sen. Emmanuel Paulker,  Benson Aghadagha, David Allagoa, Dr Nimiofa Ayaowei, and several others.

The Chairman of the event, King B. Dakolo, traditional ruler of Ebenanaowei of Ekpetiama Kingdom, in his opening address, urged all aspirants to eschew violence during and after the election, adding that anyone found to instigate violence would be ex-communicated. He warned that the Ijaw people have taken notice of those who did not attend the peace treaty initiative and that the person knows who to hold responsible if violence breaks out before, during, and after the elections. “An election is about brain and not about gun. Let the game be a peaceful one,” he said.

In his comments, Chief George-Ikoli, while signing the peace treaty enjoined all aspirants to caution their followers and also urged both parties and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure a conduct of credible and fair elections.

All the candidates, particularly, the Speaker, lamented the role of the judiciary in election petitions. He said that the fact that people can no longer rely on the judiciary to be fair in its adjudication of electoral matters is a major cause of violence during elections. He therefore called on the judiciary to always do justice, no matter whose ox is gored, in election petitions.

The deputy governor, who commended the organizers of the event, said: “This present drive is a testimony that you are true sons of Ijaw.” He charged the traditional rulers to ensure that the message of peace is taken to the grassroots. He also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to be fair to all. “Where an election is not free and fair, there will always be a reaction and you cannot predict the reaction,” he noted.

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