Monday 11 January 2016

Bayelsa: Sylva Rejects Gov Dickson’s Victory,Heads For Tribunal

The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate for Bayelsa State, Chief Timipre Sylva, has rejected the victory of Governor Seriake Dickson of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during the just concluded governorship rerun poll in the state .
He also disclosed that the APC has decided to seek redress before the Election Petitions Tribunal.
Sylva, who stated this while addressing journalists yesterday in Yenagoa, said the INEC and the PDP collude to deny him and the APC victory at the poll.
He said, ” I am sure you are aware of my complaints about INEC in Bayelsa.I had initially complained about the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC),Baritoh Kpagih and the Administrative Secretary of INEC.I said it repeatedly and even put it to writing.
“Usually before a general election,the INEC officials are switched. But they choose to keep the PDP rigging machine. This was the same rigging machine that returned former President Goodluck Jonathan 100 per cent. We felt these people could not conduct a free and fair election.All our cry fell on deaf ears.
“Even the REC descended into the arena by accusing a faceless candidate of offering him bribe. A REC that was arguing with a candidate is allowed to conduct an election. This is strange.”
“From the beginning, INEC was playing a game. Materials from the nearest communities were deployed first,while those in farthest communities were sent last.They didn’t not send materials to Ezetu,Azuzuama,Ukubie,Foropa and Koluama early.What they did was to frustrate the election process because they had a lead.
“And also the outcome could have been declared inconclusive with outstanding votes of 53,000 cancelled. They went against the laws. They plotted against the APC. Anywhere APC won,they cancelled. They rigged the distribution of materials. Even the vehicles used were provided by the state government.
Sylva described the victory as an alleged result of collaboration between INEC and PDP. In any free and fair election,the APC will win.”
On the alleged failure by the INEC to declare the rerun poll inclusive due to the noticeable differences between the number of cancelled votes of 53,000 and the lead secured by Governor Dickson of PDP at 46,000, Sylva said the INEC violated the law.

Ijaw Youths hail Gov.Dickson over victory
The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Worldwide has congratulated Governor Dickson on his hard fought electoral victory.
According to the IYC,the Ijaw youths commend all the contestants and the people of Bayelsa State for their contribution to deepening democracy by insisting that only their votes determine who emerges victorious.

Ex-NDDC Boss condemn violence, calls for probe
The Former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Pastor Power Aginighan yesterday condemned the violence and killing during the just concluded re-run Governorship election in the State.
Aginighan said the violence and killings of innocent persons during the election in the state should be probed to assuage the feelings of the families of those killed.

Why APC Lost In Bayelsa- Timi Frank

The deputy national publicity secretary of the APC, Comrade Timi Frank, has given insights as to the reasons why the party and Sylva lost out in the election.
Addressing journalists in Abuja, Frank said he had warned that if urgent measures were not taken, the party would suffer defeat .
He said, “Times without number I have said it that the Bayelsa APC has issues. Issues that were not attended to and I have been shouting a long time ago that if we do not resolve our issues and we go into this election, we will lose Bayelsa but nobody listened to me.
“I cried and spoke to some of our leaders about the issue and importance of reconciliation but the man in question, Sylva, who was also our candidate, failed to listen, thinking he could do it all alone but this is the result.”
Frank also congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari for creating the enabling environment for credible poll in the state .
“ Let me use this medium to congratulate President Muhammadu Buhari, Governor Dickson and the PDP. This is not a victory for them alone but for the entire Bayelsans. Through the current president, Bayelsa has been able to enjoy free and fair elections through a proper democratic process of electing their choice.
“ Let me sound this as a warning. In future elections, if PDP happens to loose, it should be able to accept defeat. The party should not point accusing fingers at the president or the APC by crying foul that the ruling party has rigged the election. What has happened is a clear testament to the fact that APC is not a desperate party and can accommodate people to vote the person of their choice “
PDP Demands Inquest Into Killings
Meanwhile, the national leadership of tjhe PDP has called for an inquest into the killings arising from the rerun poll in Bayelsa State.
But the party has saluted the people of Bayelsa State for standing against intimidation, rigging and violence to ensure that their will as a people prevailed during the supplementary election.
The Acting National Chairman of the PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, stated this in a statement made available yesterday.
He added that the steadfastness and resilience shown by the people, particularly in Southern Ijaw will go down in history as one of the many sacrifices made to defend democracy in the land.
He said, “Rising from what happened in Bayelsa state on Saturday, it is very clear that the APC-led Federal Government under the watch of President Buhari is not disposed to free, fair and credible electoral process in the country despite being a huge beneficiary of PDP’s electoral reforms.
“However, by standing against intimidation and remaining resilient, the people have greatly contributed in deepening democracy in the country and by so doing ensuring that their own destiny is right in their own hands.

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