Bayelsa: APC Overrules Sylva, Orders Fresh Governorship Primary

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News From The State Monday, September 28th, 2015

By Abdul Gaffar Bello

BALTIMORE, MD (AFRICAN EXAMINER) – The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has ordered cancellation of the last week Bayelsa State’s Governorship primary as well as conduct of a fresh poll.

APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, gave the directive Monday after the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) meeting in Abuja.

His words: “Unfortunately, in Bayelsa State at Yenagoa, we had serious security challenges and so the process could not meet the standards which this party has set for itself.

“And so, we had no alternative but to stop the process by ensuring that the chairman of the panel was effectively moved out of the venue with the help of security agencies and we decided thereafter that there should be a proper, fresh primary.

“So today, the party decided; we have written to INEC appropriately. The party has decided to conduct fresh primary for the Bayelsa governorship election.

“So, for the fresh primary, the process will start tomorrow, we’ve gotten in touch with the police and other security agencies to help us.”

It would be recalled the last Monday primary conducted by the Edo State Governor-led, Comrade Adams Oshimhole Election committee was marred with bloody attack and violence at the Samson Siasia stadium, the venue of the exercise.

Despite this and accusation, as well as protest of alleged irregularities by one of the aspirants, a former Executive Secretary of the NDDC, Timi Alaibe, a former Governor of the South South State Timipre Sylva, claimed he won the controversial governorship primary.