CPC Protests Deployment of Military in Bayelsa

Written by Duncan Tuesday, 22 November 2011

The Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) has said the deployment of security forces by the Federal Government in Bayelsa State would not augur well for the forth-coming governorship elections.

As a response to the drama trailing the tussle for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship ticket in Bayelsa, CPC also said it was inviting the embattled Governor of the state, Chief Timipre Sylva, and all aggrieved PDP members who may have lost out in the exercise to come and join forces with it.

The party in two separate statements issued by the National Secretary, Alhaji Buba Galadima, and the National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Rotimi Fashekin, said there could be no way elections would be held under a militarised atmosphere.

Galadima said it was unfair for the Presidency to order the deployment of massive air and ground forces, with helicopter gunship, armoured personnel carriers and 15,000 policemen and men of the State Security Service (SSS) to intimidate the people into submission to the dictates of the PDP.

"In an unholy alliance determined to impose its will on the people of Bayelsa State, the PDP breached the right of the unwanted from contesting and thus cleared the way for the anointed, while the Presidency made sure that the people are intimidated by the coercive state forces into submission to its will by deploying massive air and ground armed forces, helicopter gunship, armoured personnel carriers, 15,000 policemen and armed men of the SSS," he said.

He said CPC is concerned about the unfolding situation in the Bayesla PDP governorship tussle because of the likely impact it would have on the January 2012 governorship elections in the state.

Galadima said CPC was insisting that for a credible election to take place in Bayelsa, the Federal Government "must withdraw forthwith all the deployed security forces in the state and allow a whiff of fresh air to blow over the traumatized citizens of the oil-rich state".

"CPC believes that our democracy is still too fragile for these heavy bouts and blows being given to the system by the unholy alliance of the PDP and the Presidency.  CPC stands for progress, democracy, human rights and justice. 

“As an innocent victim of fascism, CPC is sympathetic to Governor Timipre Sylva and all other victims of PDP and the President's injustice. Our doors are open to all. We are willing to give every Nigerian a sanctuary against injustice and victimisation by the state," he said.

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