Labour Party accuse PDP of piling of arms, attacks in Bayelsa We don’t need arms to win poll-PDP

The Leadership of the Labour Party yesterday expressed worry over the rising cases of violent attacks and intimidation of members of the opposition parties in the state by the ruling party,the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),alleging that the Governor Sylva led administration has stock-piled arms for the polls.


According to the Party, though the opposition are holding unto the campaign by President Goodluck Jonathan for a free and fair polls in the state, the ruling administration have hired the services of some ex-militant leaders and the state security outfit known as Famou Tamgbe to use the illegal arms stored to intimidate and oppress voters in the state.


But the Publicity Secetary of the PDP in Bayelsa State,Ene Ketebu said though the allegations presented by the Labour Party was false and unfounded,the ruling Party does not need arms to win the general elections in the state.


In the Statement issued yesterday by the Labour Party and signed by its Publicity Secretary, Comrade Priye Julius ,the Party said the illegal acts and campaign of oppression by the ruling Party under the leadership of Governor Timipre Sylva allegedly commenced acts of intimidation at the declaration of electoral processes by the Independent National Electoral Commission.


According to the Labour Party,”As you all know,the state is a flash point in the coming elections.From the first day INEC blew the whistle for political campaigns,the ruling party in the state has exhibited undemocratic norms by using violence to intimidate opposing political parties.The purpose is to subvert the will of the people during the elections.”


The Labour Party noted with concern the present administration in the state has stock-piled arms,”the aim of stock-pilling arms and ammunition is to rig the elections.Instead of Voters card,the government intends to use guns to kill and maim law-abiding Bayelsans who want to come out en-masse to cast their votes peacefully for the party of choice.”


“With only two days to the National Assembly elections,ex-militants, who voluntarily took part in the Federal Government Amnesty programme are reported to have been recruited by the PDP led Government to take part in their plot to rig by giving them guns again.It is known that the PDP government is working in concert with an illegal police outfit known as Famou Tamgbe.”


The Labour Party listed the areas identified as being used for arms and ammunition stock-piling in the state.The areas listed include Southern Ijaw,Ekeremor,Brass,Yenagoa and Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government area.


They stated that “We call on the Inspector-General of Police,the Chief of Army Staff,the Director-Gneral of Police and the SSS to be on red alert to avert the impeding bloodshed of innocent people of the state and the plan of the Timipre administration to rig the elections.”


Contacted on the claims of the Labour Party,the Publicity Secetary of the PDP,Ene Ketebu said instead of the opposition parties to focus on campaigns,they are busy accusing PDP of plotting to rig, ”We have campaigned vigorously in the state by moving from one local council to another. The Labour Party is accusing us because they know that they will fail during the polls.We don’t need to rig elections because we have worked hard.”