Achiever Peterson, Bayelsa
Nigeria, January 9, 2016 – The Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) is maintaining a comfortable lead in the just-concluded supplementary election in the Southern Ijaw LGA and 101 units in Bayelsa state, despite the low turnout of voters recorded in some communities.
Collated results from various polling units and wards across the state made available to journalists showed that the PDP is widening existing lead of over 33,000 votes against the strongest opposition, All Progressive Congress(APC).
Despite reported hitches, the PDP swept the polls in units and wards in Amassoma, Otuan, Ogbia, Nembe Ogbolomabiri, Ekpetiama and some other communities as made available by the INEC officials at the various polling units.
As at the time of filing this report, PDP polled 7,234 votes while APC is having 1,948 votes.
Decentralization of election materials policy adopted by the Independent National Election Commission, (INEC) assisted in the early arrival of materials in some communities, even though there were reported cases of hijacking of election materials and violence in some areas.
Voters, as reliably informed, were resolute in their determination to put the governorship election behind them which was declared inconclusive by INEC on December, 5 and 6, 2015. To ensure the success of the poll, the Nigeria Police Force deployed 5,000 officers to the various polling units across the state.
Political thugs suspected to be working for the leading opposition party were not deterred by the presence of heavy security operatives, as they unleashed terror on voters in Ekeremor, Famgbe and Nembe communities.
The election could not hold in Ekeremor town, as over five people including two policemen were reportedly killed and several injured likewise in Nembe and Famgbe communities.
In Nembe community, members of the PDP were attacked by the suspected thugs working for the APC and aided by security personnel. As at the time of filing this report, the injured PDP members are receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital.
Also, the election materials meant for Lobia, 1, 2, 3 and Peremabiri were hijacked by militants wielding AK 47 and other dangerous weapons.
Also, a building belonging to a PDP chieftain, Chief James Jephtah, a.k.a. Octopus was touched by the APC thugs, while some people have fled the community.
On Friday, the Governor’s lodge in Ekeremor was vandalized, while the former Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Boyelayefa Debekeme and three other PDP chieftains were attacked with machetes by thugs working for the Minister of State for Agriculture, Senator Heineken lokpobiri.
Also, the immediate younger brother of the state Deputy Governor, Beinmopre Jonah was attacked at his residence in Ekeki, yenagoa local government,
This development has led to the cancellation calls by the Peoples Democratic Party in Nembe and some communities in southern Ijaw local government.
