ON
WHY THE SITTING OF THE BAYELSA STATE GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION PETITION TRIBUNAL SHOULD BE MOVED TO ABUJA
The fact that the governorship election in Bayelsa state was characterised by violence, wanton destruction of lives and property, maiming and militarised by militants imported from neighboring states is indisputable.
The governor of Bayelsa state, Seriake Dickson attested to this fact when he bemoaned the spate of violence that overran the elections, which led to several loss of lives that made even the governor to shed tears before the public .
As a matter of fact, the major candidates at the governorship election have all expressed concern over the wave of violence that characterised the election, where people like Lucky Yobougha was almost maimed as a party agent.
Moreover, the disruption of a Federal high court in session by some known thugs led by Gov Dickson, over a matter concerning the National Assembly election involving a serving Senator is still fresh on our minds as it epitomises the impunity with which Dickson operates.
We don't need a prophet to decipher the writing on the wall that the sitting of the governorship petition tribunal cannot be guaranteed in terms of security and threat based on the above facts.
Therefore, the need to move sitting to Abuja. This cannot be different from the same reasons advanced in the case of Rivers and Akwa Ibom states in the volatile Niger Delta, where militancy has resumed with the bombing of oil facilities.
The supporters of both parties at the tribunal may throng the tribunal to cause likely breach of peace at the sitting venue. This had happened before and is likely to occur again. This is what we must strive to avert . Justice cannot he obtained in an atmosphere of threats, insecurity and likely breach of public order especially over a very sensitive governorship election petition before the hallowed temple of justice .
Afterall, the court had ruled that there's nothing wrong in that regard to move the sitting to convenient places for security purposes.
~ Jonah Okah
