* Dickson for coronation
* Uncertainty caused voters apathy – Jonathan
By Samuel Oyadongha
Most eligible voters shunned the Bayelsa State gubernatorial election, yesterday, as they stayed back in their houses while some retail outlets especially drinking joints were opened for business.
The few vehicles on the roads were those on essential and election duties. Policemen were stationed at strategic locations.
Unlike the presidential election where the Joint Task Force helicopter gunships were hovering around the state airspace, it was a calm situation this time as everybody went about their businesses in peaceful manner.
INEC officials awaiting voters at the Bayelsa guber poll, yesterday.
At the Otazi plaground polling unit, Otuoke, in Ogbia council area where President Goodluck Jonathan cast his vote, and with a total of 857 registered voters, only 124 came out for accreditation at press time.
At the Epie Creek ward 6 in Yenagoa LGA, only 83 persons came out for accreditation out of the 996 registered voters.
Jonathan advanced reason for the poor turnout.
The president explained that the behaviour of voters generally varies from one election to the other.
He told journalists: “For the presidential election in Nigeria, most Nigerians in diaspora came home because they were quite interested in the election and they voted…but lower elections, in most cases, don’t attract that kind of interest. Probably that may be the reason.
“You know that in Bayelsa State, there has been some kind of challenges as to who is a candidate or who is not a candidate up to yesterday (Friday). Bayelsians were confused as to whether election will go on or election will not go on. Some of these affected the election especially those who will travel from very far places to come and vote”.
The serene riverside town of Toru Orua in the Sagbama council area, hometown of the PDP candidate, Mr. Seriake Dickson, though peaceful was in festive mood.
The people were eager and expectant of victory for their illustrious son.
Dickson arrived at about 8.45am with supporters; cheers greeted his arrival.
He went straight to his compound and prayed a minute at his father’s graveside.
Mr. Stanley Barty, Toru Orua, youth president, expressed optimism that PDP will win the election “comfortably.”
Materials arrived at 10.09 a.m. in the community.
Dickson, his wife, Mrs Rachel Seriake, and mother, Mrs. Goldcoast Dickson, were accredited at 10.55 a.m.
They voted at Augalabiri Ward II unit Orueerwari at 12.10 p.m. Voting was peaceful as voters queued to vote.
Dickson casting his vote, yesterday.
Meanwhile, Dickson, yesterday, lauded the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for conducting a peaceful election.
Dickson also commended the people for their peaceful conduct and expressed confidence that his party would triumph at the end of the exercise.
The PDP candidate, who hinged his campaign promise on restoring the lost glory of the state after casting his vote, said, “I commend the INEC for conducting a free, fair and peaceful election. I commend Bayelsans for trooping out to exercise their franchise.
“We are the only visible party in Bayelsa because we have been in power, we have structures; so we expect a thorough victory. We campaigned to every nook and cranny with a promise of transformation.
“I am happy that INEC was very prompt with the exercise, accreditation was smooth and voting started smoothly too. Because we have the structures and we are visible, we don’t need to rig to win the election. That is not acceptable, we are bent on doing what is right.”
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