Bayelsa LG Election: Diri, Deputy Disagree

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, and his deputy held differing opinions on the conduct of the last local government election in the state.
While the governor commended the entire process, his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewrudjakpo, said election materials and personnel arrived late in his area.
Diri commended Bayelsans, especially those in Kolokuma/Opokuma, his local government area, for coming out to vote in the local government election, and conducting themselves peacefully.
The governor also commended the State Independent Electoral Commission for having a firm control of the processes across the state.
Speaking to journalists at his Kalamaoweiwari Unit 4 Ward 6 in Sampou, Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area shortly after casting his vote, Diri expressed the optimism that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would emerge victorious in the 105 wards of the eight local government areas being the party with the widest acceptance across the state ahead of the election.
He said, “You can see that the exercise is peaceful here and it was seamless and the voting process is seamless. I think this is the way it is in every other unit and ward and we expect a peaceful and successful local government election which will usher in a new leadership in the local government.
“Eventually, people came out because they know that the local government chairmanship and councillorship are the closest to the people and I also remember that during our own party nomination processes, the level of interest that it generated across the whole state showed clearly people are aware that today is local government elections in Bayelsa State.
“The PDP went round campaigning across all wards and local government areas. We have candidates in the eight local government areas and 105 Wards and so by the grace of God, I am sure that at the end of the day we have the support of the people judging by the outcome of the 2023 elections.
“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.
“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.”
On why the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state did not participate in the election, 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.
An elderly voter, Madam Joy Tamkumor, expressed satisfaction with the election, adding that the election was so peaceful.
But the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo however said it was regrettable that the local government election in Bayelsa State was characterised by late arrival of personnel and election materials at polling units in some parts of the state despite assurances by BYSIEC.
In places like Ofoni community in Sagbama local government area of the state where the materials arrived by 9am and casting of vote commenced by 10:30am.
Ewrudjakpo, who cast his vote on Saturday at the Community Primary School Ofoni at 10:36am, said that the late arrival of election materials was the only criticism he had for BYSIEC adding that elections in Nigeria must improve in terms of the fairness and credibility.
He said, “You can see that the community have 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.
“It is a gradual process, it is a new curve 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 percent. 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.
“The turnout will be massive, the materials have just arrived. It is a local election and politics is more local. Emotions and sentiment are higher than the governorship election. Let them come out en masse and support their councillors and the chairmanship candidate.
“PDP is winning all the eight seats and we are sure of winning at least 103 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, who insisted that the Douye Diri government, took local government administration seriously, said, “Local government should not be a pay point, not be a POS, 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.
“They are very closer to the people and they understand the developmental challenges of the people which they will address and then we will address at a higher level. This is very important to us and that is why we are doing everything possible, turning every stone to make sure that elections hold today.