Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt

Some prominent ex-militant leaders who command large following in Bayelsa State and the Niger Delta region shunned the invitation of the State Police Command for peace talks, ahead of 9 January election in the Southern Ijaw local government area of the state.

The election in the council will complete the governorship election in the state, which was suspended and declared inconclusive. Elections had held in the other seven local councils, but was suspended in the council because of violence.

Three out of the five ex-militant leaders invited by the Bayelsa State Police Command failed to honour the invitation.

Their attitude is generating concern both in the security circles and among the populace, especially the voters in the affected local government area.

Only ‘General’ Reuben and Joshua Maciver honoured the meeting aimed at ensuring peace during the supplementary election while ex-militant leaders such as ‘General Ogunboss, Africa Ukparasia also called ‘General Africa’ and Ebikabowei Victor Ben popularly called Boyloaf were not at the meeting called by the police.

The Bayelsa State Commissioner of Police,Nasiru Oki went ahead with the meeting with the two.

Meanwhile, the Bayelsa State Governor seeking re-election under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party,PDP,Seriake Dickson,has reiterated his call for a non-violent free and fair supplementary election in Southern Ijaw on January 9.

Governor Dickson made the call at a World Press briefing in Yenagoa.

He said the call has become necessary as only a free and nonviolent atmosphere will enable people to come out and vote for candidates of their choice.

He called for the protection of election officials to ensure a transparent poll in the largest local government area in the state.