The Independent National Electoral commission in Bayelsa state has been commended by the states chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party for reversing the outcome of the state house assembly elections in Brass constituency 2 which was declared in favour of the candidate the All Progressive Grand Alliance.
The party refuted allegations that the governor, Seriake Dickson influenced INEC decision. The party also blamed security operatives for not taking necessary actions when it was brought their notice that the States APC chairman was approaching the area with armed thugs to disrupt the process.
In a statement, the publicity secretary of the party in the state Osom Makbere, accused a newly inaugurated member of the state assembly, Mr. Israel Sunny Goli and the chairman of the All Progressive Congress in the state, Chief Tiwei Orunimighe, of initiating and fueling electoral violence.
He stated that both men mobilized armed thugs and armed men to beat up an NYSC adhoc staffs and other officiating staffs of INEC at Ewoama community in the state,which is believed to be the strong-hold of the PDP in the state.
“Sunny Goli and Chief Orunimighe took the violent and barbaric step, having realized that, those results would have given outright victory to the PDP candidate, while also doctoring the results and forcing the returning officer for the assembly election to declare the APGA candidate as the winner, with the flimsy, orchestrated and unconfirmed report that, the election in those areas were marred by violence.
“The PDP expresses total disappointment with the action of Hon. Sunny Goli, who is an elected member of the State assembly for always resorting to violence and brigandage, without any regards to the electoral act. It is high time such actions are stopped.”
