Dickson Raises Fresh Security Concerns Ahead of Polls

By Anjorin Usman

Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, at the weekend alleged that some persons were playing politics with the security of the country ahead of the general elections.

The governor insisted that there was a general concern about the state of law, order and security ahead of the forthcoming elections describing the signs as worrisome.

The governor said people expected fair play and hoped on agencies and institutions of state to have the ability of doing their jobs.

He said: “On the elections, we have expectations and we also have concerns. Expectation that there should be fair play and fair exercise of public power and authority and that the agencies and institutions of state are able to do their job. That the people are not intimidated and harassed during the elections.

“Let me however alert that the signs are not too good. There are people playing politics with security – what I call the politics of insecurity and the insecurity of politics. It is unfortunate that sometimes people don’t have the courage to do what is right. We have political leaders who don’t give the right directives.

“We are concerned about the state of law, order and security during the elections. There is also the general concern about the impartiality of the electoral umpires and their agents.”

Dickson noted that his administration ensured maintenance of peace in Bayelsa and created an environment for development of the state.