Dickson, PDP Hang On To Bayelsa

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, is consolidating its hold on Bayelsa State following results so far announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in the governorship elections held on Saturday and Sunday.

Results as announced by the INEC showed that the PDP and incumbent Governor Seriake Dickson are ahead of their main rival, former Governor Timipre Sylva of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in four of the five local governments so far announced by the Returning Officer, Prof. Zana Akpagu, Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar.

The PDP won in Kolokuma/Opokuma, Yenagoa, Sagbama, and Ekeremo local government areas, while the APC has been able to secure only Brass, the local government of its governorship candidate.

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Distribution of the results show that in Kolokuma/Opokuma, the PDP scored 7, 619 as against the 6, 896 of the APC; in Yenagoa, PDP recorded 24, 258 to the APC’s 14, 563; Sagbama showed that the PDP garnered 28, 934, while APC managed 5, 382.

Others indicate that the APC won Brass with 21, 755, the PDP managing 6, 516 and the PDP flooring APC in Ekeremo with 14, 602 to 7, 918.
Akpagu, who announced the results at the collation center, said those of Nembe, Ogbia, and the controversial Southern Ijaw will be announced on Monday.

The Bayelsa election has witnessed serious violence leading to the death of at least 10 persons, ballot and result sheet snatching amidst accusations and counter accusations by the political parties.

Already, Mr. Siloko Siasia, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Movement, PDM, has raised alarm of cases of “irregularities and financial inducement,” describing the process as a ‘political bazaar’ and called for INEC to disqualify all involved parties and candidates involved.

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‎In a press statement signed by Michael Abimboye, his media aide, Siasia alleged that there were cases of thumb-printing of ballot papers in some areas of the state.

“No election took place in Bayelsa state. It was political bazaar, [for] the highest bidder,” he said.

“INEC should immediately look into this and disqualify political parties involved in the financial inducement, violence, electoral irregularities, and Illegal thumb-printing of ballot papers.”

The APC has also asked for the cancellation of the result alleging rigging by the PDP.

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