Bayesal Gubernatorial Election: APC Alleges PDP Plans To Rig Election

The All Progressive Congress APC has accused the Peoples Democratic Party of plans to rig the forthcoming gubernatorial election in Bayesal state.

The Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress APC, Yekini Nabena, made the allegations known to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday.

It could be recalled that the gubernatorial election has been slated for November 16th by INEC.

He said “Bayelsa state is being transformed into a war zone ahead of the election. Governor Seriake Dickson has seen clearly that defeat is imminent for his candidate and has now resorted to other means to force his will on the people.”

Nabena cautioned the alleged stockpiling of weapons in Toru-Orua, the home town of Governor Sariki Dickson ahead of the gubernatorial elections.

He said “Recently, traditional rulers in Bayelsa state reported to INEC on the arms stockpile in the state which is happening under the watch of the current state government. As the INEC chairman stated, traditional rulers don’t belong to any political party, and they don’t support any candidate, so our security agencies cannot afford to fold their hands on this, we must take their reports very seriously. We have a duty to protect INEC and the voters to ensure free and safe elections.”

The deputy National Publicity Secretary however, called on the security agencies to monitor the operations of its personnel during and after the election.

“Coupled with the state security outfit, Operation Doo Akpo which Governor Dickson is using to harass political opponents in his party PDP and APC members, supporters and leaders in the state ahead of the governorship election, the Governor has the resources to prosecute the elections. He has gone ahead to set up an army and police base in his village, Toru-Orua. The Inspector-General of Police and Chief of Army Staff must not allow this to happen.

“I call on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and particularly the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit to monitor the deployment of Bayelsa funds.” He said.

He stressed that the people of the state was ready to defend their votes.

Nabena said “The popular APC candidacy of David Lyon has thrown the camp of governor Dickson into disarray. The recent wave of high profile defections from the PDP to the APC is clear proof that the wind of change is blowing across the state. PDP and Governor Dickson’s rigging and intimidation plans will fail because Bayelsans are ready to defend their votes.

“This coming governorship election in Bayelsa state is not about being in power for years, it is about people saying they are tired of inefficiency and lack of development that has dragged the state backward. The people want change and they are ready to embrace APC fully in the November 16 Governorship Election.”