The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Wednesday cancelled the Bayelsa State governorship primary election held on Tuesday.
The election, held in Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa, the state capital, was purportedly won by a former governor of the state, Timipre Sylva, in a controversial manner.

The Chairman of the Election Committee, Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State said he was held hostage by thugs allegedly led by the former governor of Bayelsa State and supported by the police, who insisted that the primaries be conducted without proper accreditation.

However, Mr. Sylva, in a swift reaction described claims by Governor Oshiomhole that he truncated the governorship primary election as a deliberate act of mischief.

He noted that though Governor Adams Oshiomole was the Chairman of the Election Committee, the election which led to his emergence as the flag bearer of the party was free, fair and without violence.

Mr Sylva alleged that the Edo State Governor never wanted to conduct the primary as scheduled and cannot really say anything about the primary election because he had left the venue at the time voting commenced.

He added that Mr Oshiomhole set the process in motion for voting to commence before he excused himself on the grounds that he was going to eat and he mandated other members of the committee to carry on without him.

The National Chairman of the party, John Oyegun, said that a new date for the election would be announced soon.
“The primary has been rescheduled. It had to be called off due to security challenges,” he said.

Mr. Sylva polled 726 votes to emerge victorious. His closest rival, Timi Alaibe, a former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, got four votes. (Channels TV)

•File photo shows Governor Oshiomhole fielding questions from journalists.