Bayelsa: Tension as Diri’s Supporters lay siege to INEC office

There is tension in Bayelsa state over the results of two local government areas – Southern Ijaw and Brass. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had on Sunday postponed the announcement of result till Monday. From the results announced so far, Governor Duoye Diri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who is seeking reelection, has […]

There is tension in Bayelsa state over the results of two local government areas – Southern Ijaw and Brass.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had on Sunday postponed the announcement of result till Monday.

From the results announced so far, Governor Duoye Diri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who is seeking reelection, has so far polled 137,909 votes while Timipre Sylva, his All Progressives Congress (APC) rival, trails with 73,503 votes, leaving a margin of 64,406.

While the results are being awaited, hundreds of supporters of Diri laid siege to the INEC office in Yenagoa, the state capital.

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The supporters comprising men, women and youths, occupied the road leading to the INEC office, dancing and singing songs of praise in solidarity with the governor.

The supporters had alleged plans to manipulate the remaining results.

Southern Ijaw and Brass are spring local government areas and are said to have the highest number of voters.

APC governorship candidate is from Brass.

Some of the supporters of the governor who spoke with our reporter vowed to resist any form of manipulation.

One of the supporters of the governor, Preye Jonathan, said, “We have information that they want to manipulate the result of Southern Ijaw and Brass local government areas. We will not allow that to happen they should declare the original result the way it is.”

Another supporter, who spoke anonymously, said, “we are here to make sure the right thing is done. INEC should be sincere and transparent in all it dealings in this election. They should not contemplate doing anything funny with this result.”

In the meantime, security operatives have cordoned off all the roads leading to the INEC office where the collation of the remaining results would be done.

Armoured tanks and patrol vans have been stationed in strategic positions.

INEC has scheduled the outstanding collation for mid-day.