Ijaw women under the aegis of Ijaw Women Liberation Movement have dragged
perpetrators of violence during the Inconclusive Bayelsa governorship
election that led to the death of some persons and molestation of Bayelsa
citizens mostly women, to the National Human Right Commission, NHRC.
The group viewed the actions of those involved, particularly the Military
as an infringement of the right of the citizens of Bayelsa State, to
freely vote for the candidate of their choice, without harassment,
coercion and intimidation as witnessed during the election.
“We wish to state emphatically that the conduct of the Military during
the unconcluded elections, which saw such a respected institution
colluding with known common criminals in the creeks to manipulate the
electoral process, is sad and sends a very dangerous signal to the
advancement of our democracy. We have also resolved not to allow the
killing and harassment of the people of Bayelsa state as a result of the
election wherein the law enforcement agents were watching, to go
unaddressed, by the Human Right Commission, with a view of seeking
justice for the dead and protecting the living who are still vulnerable
to such barbaric conduct in future elections in Bayelsa or elsewhere in
the country” the Statement said.
It is sad to witness in broad day light, how security operatives failed to
protect the people, particularly the women from attacks by political thugs
and criminals, who are rather shielded by the Military during the
election. The military have proven to be incompetent and unprofessional to
get involved in the electoral process, like we saw with their behavior
during the election, where they watch with indifference while political
thugs kill law abiding citizens who were out to perform their franchise
while also molesting our women.
The group also reminds President Muhammadu Buhari that it is the
responsibility of the government to protect the citizens as guaranteed by
the Constitution and any attempt by the agencies saddled with the
responsibilities of ensuring the protection of such rights, to violate it,
is tantamount to a Breach of the Constitution.
“We are hereby calling on all the people of Bayelsa, particularly the
women, to arise and resist the tyranny that the Military occupation of
our land during the election brought and be prepared until the conclusion
of the process on a date, to be set by INEC for elections to hold in
Southern Ijaw Local government”
We are determined to pursue this to a logical conclusion and will not
hesitate to nakedly protest any further attempt to Militarise, what
ordinarily should be a civil process in our State. We are peace loving in
Bayelsa and will not allow the desperation to hijack power by some greedy
individuals, truncate the peace that has been enjoyed in our state over
the years.
This statement is signed by
Chief Mrs Ebebi Agnes
On behalf of,
Ijaw Women Liberation Movement