Commission of inquiry invites, Sylva, Lokpobiri, Brambaifa, others

The Judicial Commission of Inquiry established by Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, to probe alleged violence and breach of peace before, during and after the general elections, has invited leaders and chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to appear before it.

Those the commission extended invitations to are former Governor Chief Timipre Sylva; Bayelsa State House òf Assembly member Israel Sunny-Goli and the Acting Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Prof. Nelson Brambaifa.

Others are the Minister of State for Agriculture, Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri and Mr. Famous Danumiegha, the candidate of the APC for the Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency in the last election.

The Commission under the chairmanship of Justice Inikade Eradiri is inviting the top APC chieftains to put up appearances and clear allegations against them by victims of the violence.

Eight new witnesses appeared before the commission in Thursday and testified on the roles played by politicians in the last elections.

Led in evidence by the Commission’s lawyer, Prof. Festus Emiri, the Commissioner for Transport, Mr. Daupirimo Ikuromo, 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 couldn’t 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, alleging that the Army and other security agencies were under the control of the APC during the period.

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

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

Also, the Auditor of Nembe Cheifs council, Chief Kio Eldred-Siari, indicted officials of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corp (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 APC leaders and thugs

He said that the thugs of the APC who laid siege on Okpoama community rough-handled the 84-year- old Chairman of the Council òf 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 are the Special Adviser to Governor Dickson on Student Affairs, Mr. Austin Adigio and Chief Febor Kuroekigh the Public Relations Officer Iwoama Chiefs Council.