Group drags Sylva, APC to ICC over election violence

                     Chief Timipre Sylva

The Save Southern Ijaw Movement (SSIM) has expressed its sadness at the events that characterised the Bayelsa governorship elections, particularly the killing of innocent people by thugs and known militants allegedly sponsored by the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Timipre Sylva.

The group said it had concluded arrangements to soon drag Chief Sylva and the APC in Bayelsa before the International Criminal Court.

Addressing journalists in Yenegoa today, Director General of the group, Comrade A.I Usman disclosed that the decision to drag Chief Timipre Sylva and his party, APC to the ICC, was based on the magnitude of electoral violence perpetrated in the State during the December 5, 2015 and January 9, 2016 governorship elections, leading to the death of over twenty people, with several others badly injured.

The group said it was determined to ensure that Chief Sylva faced alleged charges of human rights abuses and killing of innocent citizens, just as it urged Chief Timipre Sylva to get prepared for his trial any moment from now.

“Before the election, all focus was on Chief Timipre Sylva going by his long standing relationship with known militants in the Niger Delta creeks.

“Now that observers have been proved right by the outcome this election, it is our hope that Timipre Sylva and every perpetrators of violence in Bayelsa State, will be brought to justice to appease the innocent blood shed during and after the governorship election” Usman said.

The group also used the medium to serve President Muhammadu Buhari, the notice of its intention, to take its protest against this cruelty and extreme show of impunity by the Bayelsa APC, to the International Criminal Court (ICC).

It further noted that if such steps were not taken, there would be no deterrent to the conduct of politicians like Chief Timipre Sylva whose attitude posed great threat to the nation’s democratic values.