Race To Occupy Creek Haven: Diri Shoots Into Early Lead
By PHC Telegraph
Chief Timipre Sylva (APC), Udengs Eradiri(LP) and Governor Douye Diri (PDP).
As results of last Saturday’s off cycle elections trickle in from different parts of the Bayelsa heartland, there are signals that Governor Douye Diri, the gubernatorial candidate of the PDP, may be on his way back to Creek Haven.
Already, Diri has established an early lead by securing an overwhelming lead in the race from three local government areas where results have been collated and announced.
The Local Government Areas in qiestion are Ogbia, Yenagoa and Kolokuma/Opokuma.
According to statistics that are officially in the public space, the incumbent governor has polled a total of 74,677 votes while his closest rival, Chief Timipre Sylva of the APC has 36,202 votes so far collated.
Udengs Eradiri, candidate of the Labour Party is trailing in third place with precisely 323 votes.
More results from the riverine state are being awaited.
We have learnt that the Collation Centre in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital which has gone on break will reopen at 3pm this afternoon.
From the results so far announced, it is obvious that the battle for the heart of Bayelsa State is between Sylva and Diri.
Some insiders tell this publication that the three LGA results declared by INEC have been received from Diri’s major strongholds.
Sylva may be expected to put up a strong fight against Diri and Eradiri in Brass and Nembe Local Government Areas.
However, Sagbama, Ekeremor and Southern Ijaw Local may eventually decide who of the two frontrunners would be sworn in as the next governor of Bayelsa State
Below is a statistical presentation of the results Local Government Areas so far collated:
Kolokuma/Opokuma
PDP. 18,465
APC 5,349
LP. 22
Ogbia
PDP. 18,435
APC. 16,319
LP. 57
Yenagoa
PDP. 37,777
APC. 14,534
LP. 244