In the initial polls on December 5, the election was declared inconclusive because the results from the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area were cancelled and there were discrepancies elsewhere. On Saturday, Inec held a supplementary election in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area and other wards where the polls were cancelled.
In what could be described as one of the bloodiest polls in Nigeria’s electoral history, yesterday Inec declared incumbent Governor Dickson of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) the winner of the polls. Chief Sylva, a former governor himself of the main opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), came second with 86,852 votes.
However, the election was marred by violence leading to the death of many persons in several of the local government areas. Yesterday, the violence reached a crescendo when the paramount ruler of Peremabiri community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, popularly known as Progress Never Die, was shot by unknown gunmen.
While declaring Governor Dickson the winner, the collation and returning officer, Professor Zanna Apagbu, said having met the election requirements, he was duly elected as the next governor of Bayelsa State. Following his victory, Governor Dickson thanked the electorate for their gallantry in ensuring his re-election for another four years but said there would be no celebration because of the number of lives that had been lost during the process.
Governor Dickson vowed that he would do everything possible to identify the perpetrators of the violence and bring them to justice. While extending a hand of fellowship to his political opponents, the governor said since the election had been won and lost, the needs of Bayelsans and the challenge of improving their material conditions had become more urgent.
“I am extremely humbled tonight at the valiant efforts you made to revalidate the mandate you gave me four years ago. With all manner of forces arrayed against us, not least the utter desperation of our political opponents, community after community led by women and youths stood gallantly to defend the sanctity of your votes and resisted the efforts of hoodlums who style themselves as militants to undermine the democratic process.
“To the extent that the people ensured that they spoke loud and clear and that their choice clearly emerged, provides some reassurance that our democracy is coming of age. Sadly, however, the election was conducted at the price of several lives lost and mayhem visited on many communities by mindless brigands clearly summoned by those who do not respect the democratic process and have equally scant regard for the sanctity of lives and property," Governor Dickson added.
Already, the PDP Governors’ Forum has congratulated Governor Dickson on his victory but there is no word from the APC. It is still not clear if Chief Sylva will accept the result or challenge it in the election tribunal.
Comments
Post a Comment