- APC’s Timipre Sylva alleges collusion between PDP and security agents, particularly the army, accusing them of rigging and violence
- Governor Diri accuses APC, especially Sylva, of orchestrating violent attacks on PDP members, emphasizing the need for attention
The governorship election in Bayelsa State has witnessed heated exchanges between the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as both parties trade blame over voter intimidation and violence in certain areas.
APC’s gubernatorial candidate, Chief Timipre Sylva, voiced his concerns after casting his vote, alleging that security agents, particularly the army, were colluding with the PDP to rig the election. Despite these allegations, Sylva expressed confidence in the APC’s victory.
He stated, “So far in my unit, things are going on well, and around the state, we are also following up. There have been a lot of violence PDP is doing, they are trying to molest our supporters…we are running the election not against the PDP but security.”
Sylva further reported incidents of violence in Yenagoa and alleged the involvement of the army, accusing them of favoring the PDP. Despite these challenges, he acknowledged the improvements made by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and expressed hope for a positive outcome.
In response, Governor Diri, while casting his vote, accused the APC, particularly Sylva, of orchestrating violent attacks on PDP members, specifically mentioning an incident in Nembe-Bassambiri. Diri highlighted Sylva’s history of involvement in violent election activities and stressed the need for attention to such behavior.
The accusations and counter-accusations reveal the tense atmosphere surrounding the governorship election, with both parties pointing fingers at each other. The situation underscores the importance of maintaining security and fairness in the electoral process to ensure a free and credible outcome.