The lawmaker representing Bayelsa East Senatorial District, Ben Murray Bruce, berate security operatives for failing to protect electorates from attacks by political thugs and criminals in the December 5 governorship election in Bayelsa State.
The chairman of the Senate Committee on Privatization, who stressed that electorates have the right to vote any candidate of their choice without being intimidated vowed to drag those behind the violence that erupted during the state governorship election that led to the death of at least four people to the International Criminal Court, ICC, in the Hague.
He disclosed this in a statement following the violence, abduction and killing that marred the election in the Southern Ijaw Area of the state, which resulted to the declaration of the poll as inconclusive by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
Bruce, who was elected Senator on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, 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.”
“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”.
Bruce urged the people of the state to be vigilant and law abiding as they await a new date for the election by the nation’s electoral umpire.
“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 advice 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. No body should allow him or herself to be used to perpetrate violence in Bayelsa State. Enough is enough,” Bruce said.
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