Senator Ben Bruce has vowed to drag perpetrators of violence during the December 5, gubernatorial election that led to the death of about four persons to the International Criminal Court, at The Hague.
Dickson and Sylva tussle for victory in Southern Ijaw local government area, Bayelsa state
He stated that voters have the right to vote for candidate of their choice without fear of intimidation or coercion.
The senator, who is elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, frowned over the ugly incident condemning the violence that characterized the election in the state, especially in Southern Ijaw local government area, Vanguard reports.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared the governorship election in the state inconclusive.
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Bruce said: “I wish to state categorically that any further killing in Bayelsa state as a result of the ongoing election wherein the law enforcement agents are watching, or the leaders of the political parties seems to have instigated such killing, I will personally ensure that they are charged for murder. If Government fails to prosecute them, I will drag them before the International Criminal Court in the Hague for crimes against humanity.”
He lambasted the security operatives deployed for the election for failing to contain the situation before it degenerated into violence.
“I have observed with dismay and sadness the killings in Bayelsa State in the ongoing governorship election. The military and the Police have been seen to watch with indifference while thugs and criminals kill law abiding citizens who were out to perform their franchise. So far about four people have been reported killed, many injured including corps members serving as adhoc staff to the INEC”.
“Citizens have a right to vote for any candidate of their choice in any election without coercion or intimidation. And it is the responsibility of the government to protect these citizens as enshrined in our Constitution. But it is sad to note that these defenseless citizens were killed without been protected by the law enforcement Agents even when they were watching,” the senator said.
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Bruce urged the people of the state to be vigilant and law abiding while waiting for a new date for the rescheduled poll.
“I therefore advice the good people of Bayelsa to be vigilant. Where there is any killing they must ensure that they can identify those responsible either by omission or commission. I also advise them to be law abiding”.
“When a new date is set by INEC for elections to hold in Ijaw South, those affected should quietly go to their designated polling booths and cast their votes. Nobody should allow him or herself to be used to perpetrate violence in Bayelsa State. Enough is enough,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, Professor Yakubu Mohammad, the national chairman of the INEC had launched an investigation into the role of the Bayelsa State Resident Commissioner (REC), Baritoh Kpagih and others officials of the electoral body in the crises that led to the inconclusive election in the state.
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