There is rising anger in Bayelsa state over plot by some chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa state and at the national level to rig the November 11 governorship election in the state.
Investigations revealed that the coordinator of the alleged plot is the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and Director-General of the APC Campaign Council, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku.
It was gathered that Ogbuku had allegedly pulled out a total sum of N10billion from the account of the NDDC meant for the development of the region, to fund the plot to compromise security agencies and officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to write results and declare the candidate of the APC, Chief Timipre Sylva, as winner.
Already, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, who is reported to be working with Professor Chima Obi as his contact to mobilize other professors for APC, has recruited some professors from the University of Port Harcourt in Rivers state for the job.
The plot, according to security sources, has been activated long ago with a 10billion naira ruse contract awarded by NDDC boss to the Nigerian police under the supervision of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun with total cash release for onward sharing with the Nigerian Army and the Navy.
Three top INEC directors from Abuja had, a fortnight ago, visited the office of the Managing Director, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, in Port Harcourt and were allegedly empowered with over 200 thousand US dollars.
Sources privy to the alleged plot also confirmed that the entire plot has a link in the presidency through the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila. It was also gathered that Samuel Ogbuku, who has already been placed under security watch, has met with the Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila to allegedly compromise the entire election with serious financial commitment agreed upon.
Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila’s covert operations with the APC in Bayelsa is viewed at variance with the promise by President Bola Tinubu, through the office of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu to ensure fair and level playing grounds for political parties in Kogi, Imo and Bayelsa states.
It was gathered that under the supervision of Dr. Samuel Ogbuku and Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila three helicopters, gun boats and two private jets have been secured to assist in conveying fake results and materials from designated points in Brass, Nembe, Ekeremor, Southern Ijaw and Kolokuma/Opokuma.
It was also gathered that the Cross Rivers and Akwa Ibom INEC officials have been deployed to Bayelsa state to assist in the rigging plot, “Already, elections results are to be printed in two copies and one given to APC,” it is as alleged.
However, some pro-democracy groups and civil rights activists in the state have called on President Bola Tinubu to call to order his chief of staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, warning that his activities and directive to military and other security personnel to harass, intimidate and arrest PDP faithful as from 6th of November, 2023 ahead of the November 11th election will throw the state into chaos.
They also alleged that the intelligence reports available showed that some Improvised explosive devices have been planted in strategic locations in the state by Chief Timipre Sylva and his cohorts to disrupts voting and cause chaos in the state.
“We want to warn that nothing should happen to the PDP candidate, Gov. Douye Diri and other candidates in the elections.
“All the people of the state need a level playing ground during the elections. Nobody is asking for bias but asking that eligible voters in the state should be allowed to vote.”
They also called on the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the DSS, the Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff, the National Security Adviser (NSA) and the International Community to hold the candidate of the APC, Chief Timipre Sylva, the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, deputy governorship candidate, Joshua Maciver, the wanted Oil Pipeline Surveillance Contractor, Kojo Sam and the Managing Director of the NDDC and Director-General of APC campaign Council, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku and other APC chieftains responsible for any act of violence and killings against any Bayelsa citizen.
“Femi Gbajabiamila don’t destroy the country for Mr. President. We have seen a lot of Chief of Staff for the President. And God is not deaf.”