APC governorship aspirant rejects Bayelsa primary poll result

By Amgbare Prince, Yenagoa

An aspirant for Bayelsa State governorship ticket on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Festus Daumiebi Sunday, has kicked against the result of the primary election held on Saturday across the 105 wards in the eight local government area of the state.

The official result declared on Saturday evening by chairman of the APC Primary Election Committee and Returning Officer, Maj. Gen. A. T. Jibrin, retd, disclosed that Timipre Sylva polled 52,061 votes which had 58,141 as accredited Voters to clinch the party’s ticket, while an ex-agitator, Chief Joshua Maciver came a distant second with 2,078 votes, with the former Governor elect, Chief David Lyon, coming third with 1,582 votes.

Scores of other aspirants who contested the primaries are Chief Festus Daumiebi, 557 votes, Ongoebi Etebu Maureen 1,277 votes, Joshua Maciver, 2,078 votes while Ogbomade Johnson had 584 votes.

Festus Daumiebi in a press statement in Yenagoa, rejected the result in its entirety and called for total cancellation of the result, adding that there were no primaries held in the state.

Festus called on the National executive of the party to disregard any result that will be submitted by the team as it was marred by irregularities, contrary to the election guidelines.

“In selected places they tried to pass off a simulation of an election, the process was undermined, marred by irregularities and heavily compromised.

Party officials failed to abide by the party’s guidelines and agreed processes.

“Upon reaching the Party secretariat on Saturday 15th April, I was shocked to observe that ‘heavy numbers have been concocted for their preferred aspirant and then a return was made in the open as programmed.

“Nevertheless, let me express my profound appreciation to all those who worked tirelessly for the new Bayelsa project. Though you were deprived of the opportunity to vote do not despair. I urge you to remain calm and law-abiding as we shall explore all legal means to challenge the outcome.” the statement alleged.