Bayelsa: APC guber primary called off

In from Olumide Olaoluwa …

Chaos and panic was the outcome of the rescheduled primary election of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Bayelsa State which has been marred by violence and intimidation of delegates.

The exercise was called off, and postponed for the second time, this time indefinitely.

Some aspirants had demanded for cancellation of the exercise.

Thugs invaded the entrance of Samson Siasia Sports Complex, Yenagoa, the venue of the exercise as early as 8am, hurling delegates who had lined up for screening with stones.

But over 1300 security operatives deployed to the venue battled and eventually restored the peace. Most of the delegates were shut out of the exercise and denied access to the venue of the primary.

When the accreditation of the delegates started, most persons who presented themselves for the exercise were said to be fake delegates in possession of cloned voter cards.

The Master of Ceremony (MC) announced that some persons with cloned cards had been arrested and handed over to the police.

The rowdiness of the exercise was blamed on the absence of the Chairman of the Electoral Committee, Governor Adams Oshiomhole.

His convoy eventually arrived around 1pm just two minutes after one of the leading aspirant, Timipre Sylva came in.

The Edo State Governor immediately called for a meeting with members of his committee.

He later met with all the aspirants leading to speculations that the internal poll could be cancelled.

Former Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Chief Timi Alaibe, Prince Preye Aganaba and Ebitimi Amgbare briefed the press and called for the cancellation of the exercise.

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

Read also: Bayelsa: Why l joined guber race, by Sylva

“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 and 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 rights so that we can get the methodology of the primaries right. We cannot continue with this process.”

Aganaba described the process as shameful and said it failed to represent the values and principles of the party.

He said: “I am ashamed of this process. I was a member of the Presidential APC in Lagos.

“It was a successful convention and when the winner emerged, all other aspirants supported the winner. But the process today is flawed.

But Sylva said he had not received any complaints from his agent adding that he was hailed by the people because of his outstanding credentials.

He advised delegates and aspirants to conduct themselves peacefully.

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