In the midst growing tension, reports of violence, security build up and counter accusations from the main contenders, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressive Congress (APC), in the Bayelsa state supplementary re-run election, five suspected thugs presumed to be hired to bomb the house of the Former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan were arrested by the operative of the State Police Command.
The arrest, which was carried out in an unnamed hotel in Swali area of the Yenagoa local Government area of the State, has sparked off security concern in the state, leaving residence in a state of fear and anxiety.
The suspects were apprehended by the Police while they were perfecting their strategy on how to attack the Yenagoa home of the former president.
While the APC governorship candidate, Chief Timipre Sylva confirmed it during a media interaction, he said that the suspects were hired by PDP, the party is yet to react to the claim.
But the Police, through its spokesman, Astim Butswat, didn’t affiliate the arrest of the suspects to any political party but he insisted that those arrested were plotting to attack a yet to be identified target, the arrested suspects include Timiere Matthew, 25; Samuel Joe, 27, Emeka Asupha, 34, Ebipre Ebebi, 25, and Okilo Matthew, 25.”
Butswat said “they were arrested based on a tip-off on the 6th of January at about 1500hrs, by the detectives from the Anti-Kidnapping and Anti-Vice unit who stormed a hotel premises in Swali community, Yenagoa.”
Already both party candidates, incumbent Governor Seriake Dickson of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and his main rival, Chief Timipreye Sylva, of the All Progressive Congress, (APC), have been boasting of victory in the battle amidst the intense fear that has grip Bayelsans over the increased rate of reported violence.
Preparations was at its peak at the office of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, as its officials were seen giving the arrangement final touch with the deploying of sensitive materials to the 101 units in the six local governments earlier cancelled and the contentious Southern Ijaw Local government area.
The re-scheduled Bayelsa State Governorship election billed for January 9, 2016 has opened the race, while the results expected from the poll appears dicey, despite the fact that the incumbent Governor is leading his main rival.
There are over 100,000 votes that are yet to vote in the seven Local Government Areas, where the exercise will take place and both Governor Seriake Dickson of PDP and Chief Timipre Sylva of APC are both in contention.
Though the Bayelsa State Police Command said it has heightened the security during the election in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, as they have increased its foot, vehicular, and waterways patrol, as well as intensive aerial surveillance in all areas of the state, the reported attacks by thugs on party members is threatening an implosion.
