The candidate of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) in the Bayelsa State House of Assembly election in the Constituency 4 of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area (LGA), Victor Ben Eridei, challenged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the heads of Security Agencies to ensure a free and fair election in the area.
The candidate of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) in the Bayelsa State House of Assembly election in the Constituency 4 of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area (LGA), Victor Ben Eridei, challenged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the heads of Security Agencies to ensure a free and fair election in the area.
Mr. Eridei claimed that the decision of the Court of Appeal sitting in Port Harcourt to nullify the last State Assembly election was an indictment of the shoddy handling of the Constituency 4 election. Therefore, according to Mr. Eridei, the rescheduled election should be conducted in a free, fair, and credible manner.
Speaking in Yenagoa, the State capital, to several Party leaders and constituent members, Mr. Eridei asked the Chairman of INEC, Professor Yakub Mohammad, to ensure that the State Resident Electoral Commissioner Austin Okojie not be partisan and allow for a level playing field throughout the election.
According to him, the last Resident Electoral Commissioner, Baritoh Kpagih was biased and partisan.
"We want the National Chairman of INEC to watch over the State INEC and ensure their activities do not prevent a peaceful election on March 5th," Mr. Eridei stated.
Mr. Eridei, who is considered a pragmatic politician, called on his constituency in Southern Ijaw Constituency 4 to turn out en masse to cast their votes for him and the AD.
"The people should come out and vote for the candidate of their choice and not to be deceived and intimidated by acts of thuggery and violence,” Mr. Eridei declared.
Regarding the alleged plot by politicians to sponsor violence during the rescheduled poll, Mr. Eridei called upon the security agencies to ensure this did not happen.
"Such acts of violence will not be acceptable to the people of the area. The security agencies should be part of the process to save lives and properties.
“We will not allow some desperate politicians to cause mayhem with the planned deployment of armed thugs from neighbouring Delta and Rivers States," Mr. Eridei stated.