Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has commiserated with the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Adamu, over the death of some police personnel who drowned while escorting voting materials during the December 5 senatorial bye-election in the state.
The boat conveying the policemen overturned on its way to Oporoma, the headquarters of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area.
Diri, in a statement issued on Sunday by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, also condoled with the families of the deceased policemen, adding that their sudden demise while on national duty was very painful.
While describing the incident as unfortunate, he prayed to God to give the IGP and the families of the policemen the strength to bear the great loss.
Diri also commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the smooth conduct of the election.
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He noted that INEC’s decision of having accreditation and voting simultaneously saved time and energy.
“The process was faster and even smoother. The card reader identified me as soon as my voter’s card was slotted in.
“So I can describe the process as smooth, fast and peaceful. Certainly, the simultaneous accreditation and voting enhanced the process rather than waiting for hours before coming back to vote. I think this decision of taking them at the same time is far better than what we used to do.”
Reacting to the alleged hijacking of election materials in Agbere community in Sagbama Ward One, Senator Diri described the act as the handiwork of mischief-makers bent on discrediting the electoral process.
He called on Bayelsa people not to give a negative image of the state, saying that it is a state with people of integrity who work hard to earn a living.
