There was low turnout of voters in Bayelsa on Saturday, evenas the Independent National Electoral Commission conducted a peaceful governorship election in the state.
This, many attributed to the killing of a popular supporter of the Action Congress of Nigerian (ACN), Mr. Tuston Ogai on the eve of the election at the Ogbrugbene Community in the Southern Ijaw Area of the state. The accreditation and voting exercise in the local government area was filled with tension.
But President Goodluck Jonathan blamed the low turnout on the confusion over who is the authentic candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.
Jonathan said the people in the state were confused as to whether or not the poll would hold, adding that as a senior PDP member? he was hopeful that the party’s flag bearer, Seriake Dickson would win the election.
The President spoke with journalists in his community, Otuoke, Ogbia local government shortly after casting his vote at Otuabula unit, Ward 13 at about 12.45pm. Accreditation of voters at Otuoke commenced at about 9.45am and Jonathan was accredited at about 10.06am.
Jonathan, was accompanied by his wife Dame Patience Jonathan and mother, Eunice Jonathan. His unit also experienced low turn out as his unit accredited 124 voters out of the registered 857.
According to Jonathan, “for the presidential election, Nigerians in the diaspora came home to vote. General elections always attract that kind of crowd. You know that in Bayelsa state there has been some kind of challenges as to who is the candidate and who is not the candidate up to yesterday (Friday)”.
At the Okunbiri country home of the acting governor, Chief Nestor Binabo, the late arrival of election materials and personnel delayed the conduct of accreditation and voting until 1.48pm.
The flag bearer of the PDP, Hon. Seriake Dickson, also voted at Toru-Orua community of the Sagbama local government at 12.30pm. the conduct was described as peaceful and impressive.
Some observers attached to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) informed LEADERSHIP that some underage voters were noticed at the home council of the Former Presidential Adviser on Niger Delta, Mr. Timi Alaibe in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Council of the State.
Alaibe however waved aside the claim of underage voters and commended the indigenes of the council for their turnout inspite of the general case of misinformation that trailed the conduct. He also called on the opposition to support the PDP in developing the state.
At the home Community of the Former Governor of the state, Timipre Sylva at Okpoama, Brass local government council, the turnout was very low. Many of the indigenes claimed not to know the parties and candidates involved in the governorship contest.
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