Polls: Bayelsa Panel Invites Sylva, Lokpobiri, Ag. NDDC Boss, Other APC Chieftains

Polls: Bayelsa Panel Invites Sylva, Lokpobiri, Ag. NDDC Boss, Other APC Chieftains

Yenagoa – Former governor Timipre Sylva, leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State, has been invited by the state’s Judicial Commission of Inquiry investigating the violence that marred the 2019 general election in parts of the state to appear before the commission to answer to allegations levelled against him.

Governor Seriake Dickson inaugurated the six-member panel chaired by Justice Ineikade Eradiri on February 27 2019.

Apart from Sylva, other APC chieftains invited by the commission are Israel Sunny-Goli, a current member of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly representing Brass Constituency 1; Professor Nelson Brambaifa, the acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC); Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development; and Famous Daunemigha, candidate of the APC for the Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency in the poll.

The names of the APC chieftains had come up prominently during the sittings and the commission was inviting them to clear their names of sundry allegations.

Their invitation followed an order granted the police by Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja, to arrest Sunny-Goli; one Sam Kodjo, an oil surveillance contractor, and others for alleged complicity in the February 23 2019 attack and abduction of a Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mr. Kola Okunlola, in Brass.

The commission of inquiry, which has received written and oral testimonies on the roles played by politicians since it commenced sitting in Yenagoa, heard the testimonies of eight fresh witnesses during its sitting on Thursday.

Mr. Daupirimo Ikuromo, the Commissioner for Transport, who was led in evidence by the commission’s counsel, Professor Festus Emiri, said despite the peace accord signed, thugs allegedly loyal to Sylva forced the leadership of Okpoama and Ewoama communities to compel their people to vote only in favour of the APC. 

Ikuromo stated that he and other PDP stalwarts were not opportune to exercise their franchise as they were chased out of the community.               

He said those who came out to vote were beaten up and forced back into their houses, insisting that the army and other security agencies were under the control of the APC during the period.                      

Another testifier, Chief Ebitimi Ayah, the regent of Ewoama community, said he was compelled to authourise a proclamation ordering his subjects to vote only APC or risk losing their lives. 

The traditional ruler submitted that the community was thrown into fear by the heavy presence of APC thugs and threats to monitor and deal with whoever voted the PDP and its candidates.                

Also, Chief Kio Eldred-Siari, the auditor if Nembe Council of Chiefs, indicted officials of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) who, according to him, prevented him and other PDP supporters from voting on the day of the election.

Another witness who is the Director Strategic Communication, Governor’s Office, Chief Nathan Egba-Ologo, said that an existing peace accord was violated by the APC leaders and their thugs.

He said that the thugs of the APC, who laid siege to Okpoama community rough-handled the 84-year-old chairman of the Council of Chiefs, Chief Allen Orukari, and compelled him to approve an announcement forcing his subjects to vote only for the APC or leave the community.                        

Others who testified before the commission were the Special Adviser to Governor Dickson on Student Affairs, Mr. Austin Adigio and Chief Febor Kuroekigh, the Public Relations Officer of Iwoama Council of Chiefs.