Assembly poll: PDP alleges invasion of community with thugs by Sylva, APC chair

The Peoples Democratic Party in Bayelsa State has alleged ongoing plots by the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress in the state, Hon. Tiwei Orunimighe, to disrupt the rescheduled state House of Assembly election in Diama community of ward 5 in Brass Constituency 2.

The PDP therefore called on the Independent National Electoral Commission in the state and security agencies to intervene to forestall a looming crisis.

A statement issued on Saturday by the Bayelsa State Secretary of the PDP, Godspower Keku, alleged that Orunimighe, who is from Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, is currently on his way to the community with armed thugs disguising as men of the Joint Task Force in a gunboat to intimidate and force the people against their will to favour the APC candidate.

While describing the development as barbaric and undemocratic, the PDP chieftain wants INEC and the security agencies to urgently wade into the matter “to avoid a total breakdown of law and order in the area and ensure a smooth electoral process”.

He said: “Similar reports from the same area, has it that, embattled former Bayelsa State Governor and APC Chieftain, Mr. Timipre Sylva, has invaded Brass constituency 2, with armed thugs, most of them ex-militants from Olugbobiri Community in Southern Ijaw LGA, to forcefully sway the electorates in favour of their candidates.

“The the former Governor has also ordered the Police Area Commander, to deny the Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Abraham Ngobere of police security. Sylva, even campaigned this morning at ward three, contrary to the electoral guidelines, as provided by the INEC.”

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