The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) says there is
a high chance of the All Progressives Congress (APC) wresting power from the
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during the Bayelsa governorship poll.
The PDP has produced three governors in the state since the
return of democracy in 1999.
The centre, in its report titled: “The Godson Turned
Godfather: Governor Dickson & Bayelsa’s 2019 Election”, however, said
the “growing popularity of APC in the state could make the election fiercely
contested”.
It also said the internal crisis within the PDP and its
primary election in September may be the “straw that will finally break the
camel’s back”.
Duoye Diri, PDP candidate, will lock horns with David Lyon
of the APC and 43 others on November 16 over the number one seat in the
oil-rich state.
“The APC faces a tough task to win in a state that has been
the exclusive preserve of the PDP since the return to democracy in 1999.
However, there are signs that it might have a chance of breaking that tradition
in November. In the 2019 presidential election, the APC won 118,821 votes; a
huge increase on the 5,194 it won in 2015,” the report read.
“The growing popularity of APC in the state is coupled with
the party’s determination to wrestle power from a state that has traditionally
been a PDP stronghold means a fierce contest is expected. Having won a
senatorial seat, two seats at the House of Representatives and four seats in
the State House of Assembly in the last general elections, the APC now has its
sight set on the governorship.
“This Bayelsa election can also serve as a launching pad
aimed at making inroads into the South-South region ahead of the 2023 general
elections. It is therefore likely that the federal government will do all that
is reasonably possible, and muster all the available resources, to ensure its
party wins the governorship seat in Bayelsa.”
The report further said that there is a likelihood that the
election is marred by violence and fake news.
“The Niger Delta in general, and Bayelsa State in
particular, have a history of electoral violence. This is compounded by
widespread established incidents of insecurity that include cult violence,
piracy, abductions and attacks on oil facilities,” it read.
“With the reported stockpiling of dangerous weapons by the
criminals and political thugs… there is a strong likelihood that electoral
violence will be a significant feature of this forthcoming election.
“Fake news spread fast and is a potent security threat to
the forthcoming election in Bayelsa State. Of particular concern is the
deliberate attempts by the political parties to spread false information and
shape the narratives before polling day. Both the APC and PDP in Bayelsa run
media hubs dedicated to producing and disseminating misinformation and the
spread of falsehoods.”
“CDD calls on INEC to address the incidents of vote-buying
ongoing in the form of buying of Permanent Voters Card and also work to stem
vote-buying during the elections.
“The Centre calls on the leadership of security agencies and
her men to maintain a non- partisan stance in the forthcoming elections. The
security should refrain from being dragged into such sceptre as witnessed
during the 2019 general elections.
“Regardless of the outcome of the governorship election,
what should be of utmost concern to every indigene of Bayelsa State is that a
peaceful and credible election takes place which reflects the will of the
people.”
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