Bayelsa CP meets with political parties amid fears of intimidation by PDP, APC

Bayelsa State Police Commissioner Ben Nebolisa Okolo met on Monday with leaders of the various political parties in the state about the peaceful and non-violent conduct of campaigns as preparations for elections begin in the state.

The PC said the men and officers of the Bayelsa State Police Command will be careful not to be partisan and biased in their conduct during campaigns and general elections, but will not tolerate nor the disorderly conduct of members of state political parties.

During a stakeholder meeting in Yenagoa ahead of the elections, minority political parties in the state accused the APC and PDP of intimidation through the use of armed security men and thugs .

Some of the speakers called on the Commissioner of Police to warn his men to treat all political parties and candidates equally, urging that whatever must be done for a free pre and post election, fair and credible be put in place.

They also reported that thugs are already threatening the lives of some candidates who do not associate with the party of their choice, warning them not to come to their communities to campaign.

In his response, CP Okolo said that the command does not consider a small or big party, but is ready to provide the necessary security for each political party.

He said: "We will continue to call on political parties to behave in an orderly manner and say that it is not good to attack each other during or after campaigns"

The Commissioner of Police also disagreed with the issue raised by some party leaders of a threat from a particular political party that other parties should not campaign in the local government area of ​​Nembe-Bassambiri and Brass. He promised to investigate and warn against any violation of the peace in the region.

NNPP leader Tubonimi Joel, while praising the police for calling the meeting, noted that his party is made up of disciplined individuals and assured the police that supporters and party members will not indulge no acts inciting violence during campaigns, "but must call on the police to ensure that their personnel conduct themselves in a professional manner."

APC's Dennis Otiotio also commended the police for the meeting and urged that the meeting be held regularly to assess the conduct of all stakeholders during and after the campaigns, "we want to advocate with the police police to ensure that permits for gatherings are regularized to avoid cases where two political parties organize campaigns on the same day and in the same area.This can lead to conflicts.