Isaac Ombe, Yenagoa
Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has commended the state’s Independent Electoral Commission for the organisation of Saturday’s local government election in the state.
The election also witnessed serious apathy and low turn out.
Governor Diri also said reports available to him indicated that the poll was generally peaceful across the state.
The Bayelsa governor spoke to journalists shortly after voting at 10.15a.m. alongside his wife, Dr. Gloria Diri, at his Kalamaowei wari Unit 4, Ward 6 in Sampou community, Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area.
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He expressed the optimism that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) would emerge victorious in the 105 wards of the eight local government areas as it was the only party with wide acceptance and vigorously campaigned across the state ahead of the election.
According to him, “PDP enjoys the support of the people and judging from the outcome of the November 11, 2023 governorship election, our party will still take the upper hand.
“As you have seen, the voting process was peaceful and seamless and l think if this is the way it is in every other unit and ward, then we expect a peaceful and successful local government election to usher in a new leadership at the third tier of government.
“So far, we are very pleased that there is no report of security breach across the state. At the last security council meeting, l charged the security agencies to be part of this electoral process and to ensure that security of the state was not breached.”
Responding to a question on why the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state did not participate in the election, Governor Diri said only the faction led by Dennis Otiotio under the control of Chief Timipre Sylva boycotted the poll and that the Party had more than one faction.
He added that the reason for their action was best known to them.
Bayelsa State deputy governor, Sen. Lawrence Ewrudjakpo, who cast his vote at the Community Primary School Ofoni, by 10:36am, said that the late arrival of election materials was the only criticism he has for BYSIEC, adding that elections in Nigeria must improve in terms of the fairness and credibility as well as the quality of the election.
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He said, “You can see, the community has just gathered, the materials have just arrived. The only criticism is that the materials are arriving a little bit late and that is the only criticism I have for BYSIEC as far as these issues are concerned. I believe they will learn their ropes. It is a gradual process, it is a new curves they are going into and I believe they will improve on it.
“But for sure, you know that Ofoni is PDP and the whole of Sagbama is PDP. You are also aware that in the last governorship election, it is only in Sagbama that APC did not get up to 25%. So we don’t expect anything different from that. The voting will be going on, I just casted my vote, the process is going on fairly, squarely and transparently.
“PDP is winning all the eight seats and we are sure of winning at least hundred and three councillorship votes. We may give one or two to other parties depending on what the strength of the other people are. But in Ofoni, it is a no go area for other Party.”
The deputy governor also noted that the Douye Diri led administration has taken local government seriously, adding that the state government has recalibrated the duties and roles of the local government in the state.
“Local government should not be a pay point, it must not be a POS, it is not a point of payment of service. Local governments are supposed to be the first unit of development and that is what we are doing now. Even our RDA which are functioning, you are aware they are awarding contract because we want them to be very effective.
Also exercising his franchise in Aghoro, his seaside community , Hon.Fred Agbedi, member Representing Sagbama /Ekeremor Federal Constituency , described the election as peaceful.
He cast his vote in ward 11, unit 003(Gberigberi-Goude)at his home town Aghoro in company of the Acting PDP Caucus Chairman Ekeremor LGA.
In most areas , the election materials arrived late even as the process was peaceful because no opposition.
Most political parties bouycoted the election and this informed the apathy and low turn out.
In an interview with some residents, they claimed not to be aware of the election.
A resident of Yenagoa noted that only one political party is in the elections , so there was no need to vote.