JUST IN: Gov Diri Wins Southern Ijaw, APC Disputes Outcome

In the aftermath of Saturday’s governorship election in Bayelsa State, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Douye Diri, the incumbent governor and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, as the winner in Southern Ijaw. Diri garnered 24,685 votes, while the All Progressives Congress (APC) contender, Timipre Sylva, trailed with 18,174 votes. The Labour Party (LP) candidate secured 119 votes.

However, tensions escalated as the APC agent at the state collation centre rejected the results from Southern Ijaw, asserting that their party had received over 70,000 votes. The agent claimed that the results were manipulated, challenging the credibility of the outcome.

Southern Ijaw, known as a traditional APC stronghold, raised expectations for a favorable outcome for Timipre Sylva, especially considering the regional ties with the party’s deputy governorship candidate, Maciver Joshua, who hails from the area. The dispute over the election results has added a layer of complexity to the post-election scenario in Bayelsa State.