Governor Seriake Dickson

Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State has applauded the Independent National Electoral Commission for cancelling the vote in the troubled Southern Ijaw local council.

He commended Bayelsans for their resilience at ensuring that the truth prevailed.

Speaking to newsmen in Government House, Yenagoa, the Governor said had it been the electoral umpire heeded  his advice, it would have saved the nation from the avoidable waste of public funds.

He pointed out that, the decision to hold the election on Sunday by INEC was ill- advised, taking into consideration the security situation and peculiar nature of the local government area.

The governor expressed regret over the killings and abduction of INEC ad hoc staff and corps members in the area, assuring the people of the government’s commitment at ensuring that they are re-united with their families in no distant time.

“I want to use this opportunity to commend INEC at last for taking the right decision. Let me say that, it is regrettable that, if INEC and the relevant authorities had taken my advice, as Chief Security Officer of the State, the incident would have been avoided.

“They didn’t listen to the honest advice that I gave to them, otherwise, the decision to hold that election on Sunday was ill advised. Regrettably, a lot of people have suffered inconvenience, and a lot of public resources have been expended.

“As we speak, we are in the process of working with community leaders and other partners to identify and retrieve youth corps members, who were put in danger for no fault of theirs.

“I like to use this opportunity to also commend them, these young wonderful Nigerians, who came here to serve their fatherland. I want to assure them and all stakeholders, who will participate in the rescheduled election and other activities that Bayelsa will continue to be home to them. The government of Bayelsa appreciates their sacrifice and will continue to partner with them to make our nation a better place”