Police Writes Gov Seriake Dickson Over Fresh Security Threats To Existing Ones In Bayelsa With Refusal To Swear In Elected House Of Assembly Members In Opposition

Information have it

The Bayelsa State Police Command, yesterday, warned the Governor of Bayelsa State, Mr. Seriake Dickson, over the security implications of the refusal by the leadership of the state House of Assembly to swear-in three elected opposition members.

The Commissioner of Police, Peter Ogunyanwo, in a letter sent to the governor, dated April 11, said the action of the House led by its Speaker, Mr. Kombowei Benson, was capable of compounding the security threats in the state.

Ogunyanwo’s concern was following a letter addressed to him by the affected three members-elect requesting for a police protection in a peaceful protest they planned to demand their immediate inauguration.

Benson has refused to administer oaths of office on Watson Belemote of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), representing Brass Constituency 2; Gibson Munalayefa of the Labour Party for Ogbia constituency 2 and Gabriel Ogbara of African Democratic Congress (ADC) for Ogbia constituency 3.

They were declared winners of their various constituencies four months ago by the Appeal Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

But the leadership of the House dominated by members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ignored them and rather quickly inaugurated their party members who won their rerun elections in March.

In the letter addressed to the governor, the police boss said: “The members-elect, Alfred Belemote (APGA, Brass 2), ‎Gabriel Ogbara (ADC, Ogbia 2) and Gibson Munalayefa (Labour Party,Ogbia 2) stated they were successful candidates in the state House of Assembly election held on 6th of June, 2015 but the leadership of the State House of Assembly has refused to swear them into office for normal legislative duties.

“The trio also alleged that one Hon. Benson Kombowei of the PDP, whose election was just conducted on March 11th, 2016, was sworn into office immediately after winning election,wheras the same House has continuously denied them this right since 2015.

“In view of the aforesaid development,the Bayelsa Police Command is appealing to your Excellency to prevail on the Hon. Speaker and entire leadership of the State House of Assembly to swear into office,the three honorable members in the interest of peace and justoce.

“This is to prevent fresh security ‎threat to the existing ones in Bayelsa State.It would also act as well as a demonstration and confirmation of your excellency’s large and accommodating heart.”

The aggrieved members-elect in the request letter to the commissioner said they had planned to stage a peaceful protest on Tuesday next week.

They said the move became imperative following the outright refusal of the House leadership to swear them in.

They drew the attention of the police boss to the photocopies of their respective certificates of return issued them by the Independent National Electoral Commission following their victories in the court.

They said in the letter dated April 7: “All efforts to effect our successful swearing in has remained futile, hence, the resolution to employ this peaceful/lawful path of expressing our displeasure”.

thenation