Election committee raises security concerns

The seven-man Bayelsa State Election Committee on Wednesday in Abuja raised concern over insecurity during the primary billed to hold on Sept. 22.

The primary, billed to take place at the Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa, was initially scheduled for Sept. 19 was postponed till Sept. 22.

The APC set up the committee to be chaired by Gov. Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that as the committee was being briefed on its duties, Rep. Chinedu Eluemunoh, one of the committee members, raised the issue of volatility of the state and the impending violence that might likely mar the process.

Eluemunoh said: ''We are worried about the volatile environment where the primary election will take place.

''We are of the hope that adequate security will be provided in the course of discharging our duties.''

In his response, the APC National Organising Secretary, Sen. Osita Izunaso, allayed the fear of insecurity, assuring that security agents would be available to ensure safety of lives and property.

Izunaso also said that the requisite means of identification for all the delegates would be their permanent voter cards, international passports or the national identity cards.

He said that no other means of identification should be accepted by the committee members to accredit the delegates.

He urged members of the committee to forward any petition on the conduct of the primary to the Appeals Committee that would be set up before the end of the election.

Speaking on behalf of the committee chairman, Sen. Ishaq Salman assured that the committee would do its best to ensure a free, fair and credible primary.