Bayelsa Poll: PDP Member Killed, Others Injured in Thug Assault

• PDP member tragically killed, several injured in a violent attack by suspected APC supporters ahead of Bayelsa’s gubernatorial election
• PDP leadership condemns the attack, calling for a thorough police investigation, while the APC accuses the PDP of attempting to incite violence

A member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, Timi Biriyai Macdonald, has tragically lost his life, while several others, including a prominent party chieftain, Diepreye Akrisia, have sustained injuries in a violent attack perpetrated by thugs.

This disturbing incident occurred just eight days before the gubernatorial election in the state, where the incumbent governor, Senator Douye Diri of the PDP, is seeking a second term in office and facing stiff competition from the former governor of the state and the immediate past Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The leadership of the PDP in the state has swiftly condemned the attack, describing it as “dastardly” and “senseless.” They allege that the perpetrators, suspected to be APC supporters, targeted their members in Ogbolomabiri community in Nembe LGA.

In a statement issued on Friday by the State Chairman of the PDP, Hon. Solomon Aguanana, the Secretary, Hon. Gesiye Isowo, and the Publicity Secretary, Hon. Ebiye Ogoli, the party expressed its condolences to the families of the deceased and the injured. They strongly criticized the use of violence and intimidation by political parties to suppress supporters of other parties and manipulate election results in their favour.

The statement reads, “The PDP, to this end, strongly urges the police and other security agencies in the state to, without delay, investigate, arrest, and prosecute the perpetrators of this wicked and senseless attack on innocent citizens, to serve as a deterrent to others during the November 11 elections.”

In contrast, the APC leadership in the state has accused the APC-led government in Bayelsa of attempting to incite violence in Nembe LGA ahead of the governorship election.

APC spokesman in Bayelsa State, Mr. Doifie Buokoribo, issued a statement on Friday, claiming that intelligence reports available to the party indicate that the PDP, in collaboration with Governor Diri, has devised plans to disrupt peace in Bassambiri Community, Nembe LGA.

Buokoribo explained, “The goal of this scorched earth policy is to make it extraordinarily difficult for electoral officials to gain access to the place, harass and intimidate our members and supporters, and ultimately prevent the November 11, 2023 elections from taking place in Bassambiri-Nembe, our stronghold.”

He continued, “We consider this intelligence credible as the PDP is now desperate, knowing that the Bayelsa people are not with them. Their performance in office has been lamentably poor. Hence, they are not campaigning on any known record of achievement. Instead, the PDP is running from court to court, trying to stop the APC from being on the ballot.”

Buokoribo alleged that violence was being visited upon APC members in various areas, including Opokuma, Odi, and Kaiama in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Council, as well as Sangana in Brass Local Government Council, and attributed this to the PDP.

Efforts to obtain the police’s comments on the incident were unsuccessful, as the Bayelsa State Police Command Spokesman, CSP Asinim Butswat, did not respond to calls.