The Bayelsa State publicity secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Doifie Buokoribo, has said reports available to the party had revealed that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state in collaboration with the state government had made plans to cause a breach of the peace in Bassambiri-Nembe, a stronghold of the APC.
A statement signed by Doifie Buokoribo in Yenagoa said as part of the plans, men of the armed forces and others from neighbouring states had been mobilised with state resources to plant arms in some houses in the community as an to excuse for invasion, mayhem and killings.
Buokoribo said; “The goal of this scorched earth policy is to make it extraordinarily difficult for electoral officials to gain access to the place, harass and intimidate our members and supporters, and ultimately prevent the November 11 elections from holding in Bassambiri-Nembe, our stronghold.
“We consider this intelligence credible as the PDP is now desperate, knowing that the Bayelsa people are not with them. Their performance in office has been lamentably poor. Hence, they are not campaigning on any known record of achievement. Instead, the PDP is running from court to court, trying to stop the APC from being on the ballot. Not only are they threatening violence, they are actually visiting violence on our members in places like Opokuma, Odi and Kaiama in Kolokuma/Opukuma local government council (Governor Diri’s local government) and Sangana in Brass local government council.”
According to Buokoribo, the APC is committed to a free, fair and credible election which can only be guaranteed in an atmosphere of peace.
He called on the security forces to caution their men and officers to act within the limits of the law in order to forestall a breakdown of law and order before, during and after the election.