#NigeriaDecides2019 | Bayelsa APC denies involvement in killing of government house photographer

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State has denied allegations that it sponsored armed men that killed a Government house photographer, Reginald Dei, and a Ward Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (APC), Mr Seidougha Taribi, at Oweikorogha, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

The APC in a statement issued by its Publicity Secretary, Doifie Ola, accused the Governor of Bayelsa State,  Seriake Dickson, of raising a false alarm over the killings and sporadic shooting that disrupted elections in Bassambiri, Nembe Local Government Area.

Dickson had earlier accused the former Governor of the State, Chief Timipre Sylva, of sponsoring the attacks in a bid to disenfranchise PDP members at the affected areas.

The statement further alleged that Dickson and his supporters in the PDP were to blame for any crisis during the election in the state.

The APC said neither its leaders nor supporters had anything to do with violence or illegal activities during the election, and accused Dickson of trying to divert attention from plots of the PDP towards rigging election in their favour.

The statement reads, “The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State is highly disappointed but hardly surprised by the outrageous remarks of Governor Seriake Dickson during the presidential election in the state on Saturday.

“Dickson was quoted by some online mediums of accusing the APC of sponsoring violence, without any proof, and purely based on hearsay, even by his own admission.

“We have always known that crying wolf is a fancy act performed with outrageous ease by Dickson. But accusing APC of violence after openly unleashing his security strike force, Operation Doo Akpo, on the state to intimidate the electorate during the Presidential and National Assembly elections is the height of indecency by a governor who ought to be the state’s chief security officer.

“Dickson’s character of raising false alarm to try to cover up his political machinations is well known to all, and we are happy the people are just not going to believe him.

“But just to set the record straight, APC and its leaders have neither involvement nor interest or desire for any form of violence during or after the general election. We are a party of peace and peaceful people, and no amount of provocation by Dickson and his co-travellers will make us deviate from the course of decency and democracy.

“Moreover, it is foolhardy for anyone to imagine that APC, whose President Muhammadu Buhari, by every indication, is going to sweep the poll would encourage anything that could disturb their imminent celebration.

“We advise Dickson to retrace his treacherous ways and join decent Nigerians in advancing the course of democracy.”