Bayelsa Polls: APC Primary Election Fails To Hold Due To Violence

Thugs disrupted the primary election of the Bayelsa state chapter of the All Progressives Congress today, September 22 as the exercise was marred by violence.

The exercise which was held at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex in the state capital, Yenagoa, was invaded by the thugs before the event commenced.

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According to The Punch, the thugs started disrupting the electoral process by throwing stones at delegates of the party who were already lined up for screening, crating chaos and panic at the venue.

Calm was however restored later as over 1,300 security operatives deployed for the exercise dislodged the thugs and restored peace at the venue.

Meanwhile, most of the delegates were shut out of the exercise and were not allowed access to the venue of the primary, while the accreditation process was disrupted by persons who were alleged to be fake delegates.

It was however gathered that some of the ‘delegates’ with cloned cards were arrested and handed over to the police.

There are speculations that the exercise might be postponed because of the issues that have risen in the build up to the exercise.

Amidst the confusion, the chairman of the electoral committee of the election and Edo state governor, Adams Oshimhole arrived the venue at about 12pm and held a meeting with members of his committee. After the meeting, Oshiomhole also met with all the aspirants.

Before Oshiomhole’s arrival, one of the main contenders and former Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission, Chief Timi Alaibe, and two other candidates briefed the press and called for the cancellation of the exercise.

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Alaibe said: “You have seen the rancorous process leading to the primary. The process is being marred by irregularities, violence, intimidation and complete disrespect for aspirants, agents and party officials.

“This is an enactment of negative history for a party that stands on the mantra of change. I think something is missing somewhere and we need to get it right. We have had delegates perceived to be loyal to us, threatened, beaten, wounded since morning.

“Quite a lot of people you see here are not delegates. Most of the authentic delegates are outside. We need to put a stop to this process. We will meet with the chairman of the committee and ask for the cancellation of the process.

” Some other times we can get the security dynamics right so that we can get the methodology of the primary right. We cannot continue with this process.”

But Alaibe’s main rival and former governor of the state, Timipre Sylva said he had not received any complaints from his agents., urging all the delegates and and his fellow aspirants to conduct themselves peacefully.

He said: “I am not an agent and if there are people with cloned cards, we will make sure they are arrested. I was part of the arrangements put in place. Among all the aspirants, l am the only one with the credentials; someone who has done a term here.

“You know how unjustly I was treated in office. So, their sense of justice is still burning. Delegates should conduct themselves peacefully just as I  advise all the aspirants to conduct themselves peacefully.”

According to Newsbreak.ng, Alaibe and his supporters were allegedly denied access into the venue, a situation that they blamed on the camp of Sylva.

“We will certainly reject the outcome of the primary if the situation does not change here today because this arrangement is skewed in favour of a particular aspirant,” one of the supporters of Alaibe said.

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The primary which was earlier scheduled to hold on Saturday, September 19, was moved to today, Tuesday, September 22 by the party’s leadership.

Naij.com will keep you up to date with the outcome of the election.

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