APC Reacts To The Developments In Bayelsa Election

Amidst increased tension in parts of Bayelsa State, the Independent National Electoral Commission has cancelled the governorship election in the volatile Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state.

INEC subsequently declared the governorship poll inconclusive. The cancellation of the election in the area came barely three hours after a group, believed to be the supporters of the PDP protested outside the premises of the collation centre in Yenagoa.

It was gathered that the group was aggrieved over an alleged attempt to rig the governorship election in Southern Ijaw LGA.

Southern Ijaw has 120,827 voters, the highest in the eight council areas of the state. APC reacts...

Meanwhile, APC candidate, Sylva, has rejected the cancellation of the election in Southern Ijaw LGA.

At a news conference on Monday in Yenagoa, Sylva said INEC decided to cancel the poll because he won by a large margin that made him the winner of the election.

While accusing INEC of bias, Sylva said if the commission must cancel the election in Southern Ijaw, where he won roundly on flimsy excuses, the commission must also cancel the poll in Ekeremor, Nembe, Sagbama and other places.

He said, “We had an election two days ago. In Ekeremor, there were widespread shootings; they beat up people; the minister’s house was under siege for a long time. It took a team of security operatives to repel the assailants, yet election was held in Ekeremor.

“When APC protested, the protest was waived aside; our protest died like a candle in the wind.

“In Sagbama, we did not see election materials. As I speak, one of the chieftains of our party is lying critically ill. The APC protested vehemently, nobody heard our protest.

“In Nembe, where the APC won, they quickly cancelled two wards, 8 and 9. We protested and our protest was rejected.

“The election ab initio was set up for the PDP to win. In Southern Ijaw, we have a good showing there, and the election is cancelled.

“When the REC saw that the APC was leading, he cancelled it. This is very unacceptable to our party. If they want us to accept it, they must cancel the elections in Ekeremor, Sagbama, part of Ogbia and Nembe.”

Sylva maintained that the REC had no power to cancel election that had taken place, stressing that it was only the Returning Officer that had the power to announce a cancellation.