Sylva challenges PDP over alleged bribery in INEC

Posted by admin Bayelsa, Headlines, INEC Politics, State News Sunday, January 15th, 2012

January 16, 2012 by Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva has challenged the Peoples Democratic Party to expose officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission which the party accused of receiving bribes to exclude its candidate from the list of candidates for the February governorship election in the state.

Sylva, in a statement by his Commissioner for Information, Chief Nathan Egba, regretted the comments credited to the acting state Chairman of the party, Mr. James Dugo, that some officials of INEC were colluding with the state government.

The governor’s statement came after the national leadership of the party wrote to the Chairman of INEC, Prof. Atahiru Jega, lamenting the exclusion of its candidate, Mr. Seriake Dickson, from the list.

The governor in the statement demanded a thorough investigation into the allegation.

While describing it as embarrassing, he said Dugo’s position on the impasse in the party was misplaced and biased.

He said, “We are also baffled and amused at the insinuations by Mr. Dugo that some persons in INEC are colluding with officials of the Bayelsa State Government to carry out this sinister act. This is most unfortunate, given the grave nature of the accusations.

“For us, this weighty allegation should be taken very seriously. We therefore call on the party Chairman to come up with names and proof of his allegations as it calls to question the reputation and characters of the Chairman and members of the INEC”.

“Since Mr. Dugo was so sure of his allegation against the Bayelsa State Government, we also join his call for a probe and investigation starting with him giving the names of those involved immediately. We challenge him to be more specific and direct, most especially, as he has accused the respected Professor and his team of corruption. How can INEC then investigate itself?”

However, the acting National Chairman of the party, Alhaji Abubakar Baraje, in the letter dated January 13 said the party was shocked by the exclusion of Dickson from the list.

-Punchwp_posts