Fake Security Men And Bayelsa Polls
Lately there has been isolated breeches of the peace in Bayelsa State arising from heightened political activities towards the December 5 gubernatorial elections in the State. The last report was of members of a political party taking laws into their hands and destroying boats. This trend is worrisome because it can degenerate to permanent breech of peace when constitutional provisions of separation of powers is flouted either through ignorance or impunity of outlaws.
I have to draw all to the provisions of our constitution in this area so that those who chose to break laws will know that the laws are there and will take its course as if there were no elections on going.
The state is governed by a set of laws made by the State Assembly to establish and maintain law and order . There is no conflict in these laws with those of the federal because during drafting everything is harmonised by experts. There is also separation of powers in terms of enforcement. The Federal government can appoint heads of the security agencies and arms but they must work in the state in tandem with state laws. In order words they have statutory provisions that guide their actions under the direction of the Governor.
These agencies must harmonise their work to suite the state they are posted to work because the Federal govt cannot govern the state except through the governor and the State house of Assembly. The only time such interferences may be tolerated may be periods of state emergency or when the Country is at war with another country.
So there is no question of troops or armed police or other security arms being deployed in a state to fight the regular police or security under the sitting governor or solderers destroying boats in government jetty or making away with engines to have advantage of movement for opposition groups.
Constitutionally such soldiers or police are acting beyond their powers or brief and must be prosecuted with those who gave the orders that is if they are genuine for their action immediately separates them from the genuine Nigerian forces that are law abiding. If such acts are allowed then there will be anarchy and then under such a situation there cannot be an election backed by law. Democracy differs from mobocracy because of the rule of law.
If there was no law in Bayelsa state,the Vice President ,Prof Osinbajo could have proceeded to the APC rally instead of being received by the sitting governor who happens to be the opponent in the electoral process in the state. But he is enlightened . So he followed due process in line with the constitution that prescribes the governor as the chief security officer of the state and that any one coming into the state must deal politely,respectfully with that high office because it is for the good of the nation. Unfortunately some are not as enlightened and goes about full of themselves making mistakes that can throw their people into conflict.
No mans ambition is worth the blood of another for its effect on the person will be an unnecessary binding and eventual limitation of the ambitious. So what is the need to create a situation of conflict in a peaceful state if you truly mean well for your people?