Voters from the 105 wards of Bayelsa state have declared their readiness to stand together against the alleged plot by some chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to instigate violence and rig the November 11 governorship election in the state.
According to the cross section of voters, despite their desire to encourage massive turn out of voters and fair electoral processes for the November 11 poll, the alleged plot by loyalists of the former Minister of State for Petroleum resources and governorship candidate of APC, Chief Timipre Sylva to instigate violence and use parallel security agents during the poll is threatening the peace and security of the state.
A voter from Southern Ijaw, Mr. Bolou Israel, expressed regrets that despite the fact that the only thing associated to a man could be violence and insecurity,” we have resolved to ensure that a proper democratic process is followed and that Sylva cannot force himself on the people if he is rejected”.
“All we hear from his people are that we know Douye Diri is doing well, he has done a lot of project to deserve re-election but they sing it everywhere that they will write the results as if we are in a zoo country. How do you achieve that in this modern age?”, Israel stated.
Also speaking, Mr. Sinivie Akenge from Yenagoa, the state capital argued that the forthcoming governorship election is critical to the development of Bayelsa State, noting that the State is making steady progress and that anyone plotting violence to divide and cause problem is an enemy to the people.
“We are calling on the international community to beam their searchlight on Bayelsa. The APC candidate is allegedly drumming songs of war. All they are telling their supporters is that they want to win by any possible unconventional means. The security must be on red alert and the people must stand strong to allow proper voting. We will defend our votes”, he stated.
On her part, Mrs. Janet Tonworio, frowned at certain statements credited to Chief Sylva himself that the State owes him a second term and so, this election is a revenge.
Mr. Tonworio, made it clear that Chief Sylva should simply present himself to the electorate and that the people will access his previous outing as governor almost 12 years ago and the recent public service experience as a minister on how those offices impacted lives of the people.
“This election is clearly between the incumbent Governor and Chief Sylva of APC. One thing is sure, you can only rig where you are popular. Bayelsans have long rejected Sylva. We hear he is coming for a revenge mission against those who allegedly stopped him in 2011. This is 12 years after, he is still bitter. Bayelsa must stand strong.
“They want to preload BVAS and compromise INEC. The federal might won’t work, the President is a known democrat of many years standing. Our former President recently said that if you want to govern us, present yourself and if the people like you, they vote for you and if they reject you, you go back to your house or you go and do business”, Tonworio stated.
