Party nullifies Sylva's victory, reschedule primary election

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has cancelled the governorship primary election in Bayelsa State, which saw the state's former governor, Timipre Silva, as the winner.

The APC National Chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun said in Abuja on Wednesday, September 23, that the party’s primary in Bayelsa State has been rescheduled to a yet to be announced date.

He said the election was rescheduled due to security challenges.

"The primary has been rescheduled. It had to be called off due to security challenges.’’

It was reported that 14 other aspirants led Timi Alaibe walkedout during the Tuesday's primary election, they alleged irregularities in the process.

The Chairman of the Committee for the primary, Governor of Edo state, Adams Oshiomhole was said to have been escourted out the venue of the event,at the Yenagoa stadium, by the JTF security operatives to avoid being lynched.

The Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Comrade Timi Frank who spoke to journalists in a telephone interview said the primary is not acceptable.

He said Sylva had held a member of the committee under duress to declare him the party’s candidate, adding that the party will soon come up with a position on the primary and choose a day when an acceptable primary election will be conducted.

"I am speaking as a concern citizen of Bayelsa that this primary is not acceptable anywhere. In a situation where all other aspirants walkout of the venue and a particular aspirant put a member of the primary election committee under duress to declare him a winner, with the chairman of committee, Oshiomo and the secretary not present", he said.