By Sam Jones
YENAGOA (Sundiata Post) – Voters in Bayelsa State went to the polls on Saturday to elect local government chairmen and councillors in all 105 wards across the eight local government areas in the state.
Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri expressed worry over voter apathy while his deputy Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo knocked the electoral body over the late arrival of election materials.
The election was organised by the Independent Electoral Commission (BYSIEC) in all the 105 wards across the eight local government areas of the state.
Speaking after casting his vote at Sampou, his country home, in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area Diri said “You can see that the exercise is peaceful here and it was seamless and the voting process is seamless.
“And, I think this is the way it is in every other unit and ward and we expect a peaceful and successful local government elections that will usher in a new leadership in the local governments.
On voter apathy, Diri believed that “people will come out because they know that the local government chairmanship and councillorship are the closest to the people, and I also remember that during our own party nomination processes, the level of interest that it generated across the whole state. Clearly people are aware that today is local government elections in Bayelsa State.
“Clearly, the build up to this election, the PDP went round campaigning across all wards and local government areas. We have candidates in the eight local government areas and 105 wards and so by the grace of God I am sure that at the end of the day we have the support of the people judging by the outcome of the 2023 elections.”
At Ofoni community in Sagbama Local Government Area, the deputy governor, Senator Lawrence Ewrudjakpo, who voted at 10:36am said the late arrival of election materials was the only criticism he had for BYSIEC.
He said: “You can see the community has just gathered, the materials have just arrived. The only criticism is that the materials are arriving a little bit late and that is the only criticism I have for BYSIEC as far as these issues are concerned. I believe they will learn their roles. It is a gradual process; it is a new curve they are going into and I believe they will improve on it.
“But for sure, you know that Ofoni is PDP and the whole of Sagbama is PDP. You are also aware that in the last governorship election, it is only in Sagbama that APC did not get up to 25%. So we don’t expect anything different from that. The voting will be going on, I just cast my vote, the process is going on fairly, squarely and transparently.
“The turnout will be massive, the materials have just arrived. It is a local election and politics is more local. Emotions and sentiments are high than the governorship election. Let them come out en masse and support their councilors and the chairmanship candidate.
“PDP is winning all the eight seats and we are sure of winning at least hundred and three councilorship seats. We may give one or two to other parties depending on what the strength of the other people are. But in Ofoni, it is a no go area for other parties.”
Ewhrudjakpo said the Diri administration has taken local government seriously saying that the state government has recalibrated the duties and roles of the local government councils in the state.
“Local government should not be a pay point, it must not be a POS, it is not a point of payment of service. Local governments are supposed to be the first unit of development and that is what we are doing now. Even our RDA which are functioning, you are aware they are awarding contract because we want them to be very effective.
“They are very close to the people and they understand the developmental challenges of the people which they will address and then we will address at a higher level. This is very important to us and that is why we are doing everything possible, turning every stone to make sure that elections hold today”.
