In a shocking turn of events, the Bayelsa governorship election has been marred by heavy gunshots and the suspected abduction of top Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials.
The incident, which occurred in Ossioma, Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, has raised concerns about the integrity and safety of the electoral process.
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The Supervising Presiding Officer (SPO) assigned to registration area 06 in Ossioma was reportedly abducted in Amassoma Community, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, while waiting to board a boat at a jetty in the area. As of the time of this report, the identity of the abducted INEC official remains unknown.
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Simultaneously, another unsettling incident unfolded as a boat carrying election personnel to registration area 17 in Koluama Community, Southern Ijaw LGA, capsized, leading to the loss of election materials, including crucial result sheets.
Mr. Wilfred Ifogah, the Head of Department, Voters Education and Publicity in Bayelsa State, confirmed both incidents. Fortunately, he reported that no lives were lost, with 12 personnel and the boat operator successfully rescued.
“We wish to confirm that a boat carrying personnel to registration area 17 (Koluama) in Southern Ijaw LGA capsized, fortunately, no life was lost as all the election personnel numbering 12 and the boat operator were rescued,” stated Ifogah.
He went on to reveal the loss of critical election materials, stating, “We, however, lost our result sheets, power banks, and luggage containing personal effects of staff. The total number of registered voters in the affected registration area is 5368, and the number of PVCs collected is 5311. INEC is making efforts to ensure the conduct of the election in the affected area.”
In the case of the abducted INEC official in Ossioma, Ifogah reported, “INEC also reports that its SPO assigned to registration area 06 (Ossioma), in Sagbama LGA was abducted while waiting to board a boat at Amassoma jetty. The security agencies have been notified.”
As of the time of filing this report, the police spokesman in Bayelsa State, CSP Asinim Butswat, had not responded to the incident.
The unsettling turn of events has cast a shadow over the Bayelsa governorship election, prompting heightened security concerns and leaving many questioning the safety and credibility of the electoral process in the affected areas.
