Its decision day in Bayelsa State as over 663,639 voters in over 1,939 polling units of the 105 wards in the eight local government areas of the state heads to the poll to elect the man who will govern them for the next four years.
The tension in the air is palpable in an election predicted by most pundits to be tight. The leading contenders are the former governor of the state and flag bearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Timipre Sylva; the incumbent governor and flag bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hon. Seriake Dickson; the flag bearer of the Progressive Democratic Movement (PDM), Moses Siasia and the flag bearer of the Democratic Peoples Congress (DPC), Barr. Henry Akpeli.
Others are Chief Ken Gbaligha Gbalikumo (ACPN), Chief Osain Dumome (ADC), Abbey Daniel (APA), Deacon Christopher Enai (APGA), Eneyi Gideon Rowland Zidougha (CPP), Waritimi Abudou Pius (DPP), Newline Yadugagha (ID), Suoyo Nathan (KOWA), Ogoriba Timidemo Kiaser (LP), Prince Tari (MPPP),Watama Inko, Ere Hendrix Obrabomo (PDC), Alexandra Peretu (PPA), Enu Otonye (PPN), Joy Prince Oniekpe (SDP) and William Berezi (UPP).
Some analysts have argued that the Bayelsa elections will serve as a redemption opportunity for the immediate past President of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan who lost the presidency to the incumbent Muhammadu Buhari to prove that he has political clout and relevance in Bayelsa.
The outcome of the election may decide the political future and relevance of the man who was once adored by his people many of whom were optimistic that he would use his botched second coming to make up for his failure to meet their developmental needs.
Jonathan’s political survival, according to observers of the unfolding event in the state, will be dependent on the success of his political godson, Governor Seriake Dickson.
However, some staunch supporters of the party are confident that Dickson will triumph at the polls citing his performance in the areas of critical infrastructure and the education sector. According to them, it is unthinkable to think of PDP defeat in the governorship polls as anything contrary may spell doom for the status and personality of the former President.
PDP losing the election will be one defeat too many for Jonathan, who is already trying to recuperate from the loss of the last presidential election. Another defeat at the home front will signal the end of his domination in the political affairs of the state and indeed, the country.
Since the end of 2005 when he became the governor of Bayelsa by a twist of fate, Jonathan has since come to assume the role of a major power broker in the state. Jonathan favours Dickson against the candidacy of a former governor of the state, Chief Timipre Sylva, of the APC.
Meanwhile, six out of the 20 political parties have withdrawn from the Bayelsa governorship race and endorsed Chief Timipre Sylva in the election. Addressing a news conference in Yenagoa yesterday, the State Chairman of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), Prince Silas Ikimi, said they were confident that Chief Sylva would bring the needed change to the state. The other parties are ACD, AD, HDP, LP and UDP.
