In the aftermath of Saturday’s off-season governorship elections in Bayelsa, reports have surfaced regarding violent clashes allegedly involving thugs loyal to Timipre Sylva, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate.
Tragically, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Berepelenyo George Sibo, was reportedly killed at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office in Twon-Brass, the headquarters of Brass Local Government Area.
The situation escalated on Sunday when scores of PDP members stormed the INEC state headquarters in Yenagoa, demanding the cancellation of Saturday’s election results in specific areas.
The protesters called for the annulment of results from places where elections did not take place and where materials were allegedly hijacked. Opu-Nembe (Nembe Bassambiri) in the Nembe Local Government Area was identified as one of these areas.
Earlier reports on Saturday indicated an attack by alleged APC thugs on an ad-hoc INEC staff member and a National Youth Service Corps member. These armed thugs reportedly seized election materials and BIVAS machines at Ward 1, Unit 23 in Onopa, Yenagoa Local Government Area.
The incident was confirmed by the Unit Agent of the PDP, Wongs Goodhead, who stated that armed thugs invaded the unit during the collation and sorting of votes. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
In Ward 11 of Opume and Emakalakala in the Ogbia Local Government Area, armed APC thugs reportedly disrupted the election process at units 14, 15, and 19. Before the disruption, some results had already been recorded, indicating a contentious electoral environment. PDP agents reported scores at various polling units, further highlighting the challenges faced during the polls.
The electoral turbulence extended to Ward 3 in Olodiama community, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area. Armed thugs invaded and reportedly carted away the original result sheets of units 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, and 19, raising concerns about the transparency and credibility of the electoral process in those areas.
| Sahara Reporters
