A gathering of protesters reportedly descended on the Independent National Electoral Commission office in Bayelsa State on Sunday, alleging manipulated results from Nembe-Bassambiri in Nembe Local Government Area of the state.
The protesters, many of whom hail from Nembe and support the People’s Democratic Party, claimed that there was voting irregularities in Nembe-Bassambiri and called on INEC to reject what they characterized as doctored results from the area.
The protesters, who arrived early in the morning, blocked the Swali road leading to the INEC office, demanding the cancellation of results from Nembe-Bassambiri. The gathering intensified around 9 am.
Addressing the media, the Bayelsa State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Dambo Biriyai, SAN, expressed concern, stating that no election took place in Nembe Bassambiri.
He called on INEC officials, including the Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Mr. Obo Effanga, and South South Commissioner for INEC, May Agbamuche-Mbu, to reject the alleged fake results.
Biriyai claimed that PDP members were prevented from entering Bassambiri on the eve of the election by a combined team of SWAT police and APC thugs.
According to him, the APC allegedly fabricated results that were not reflective of any voting activity.
“If what we are here for is allowed to go on, it would be a massive rape on democracy. We are here because we were disenfranchised in Nembe Bassambiri. And no voting took place there,” he said.
Biriyai recounted an incident where PDP members were blocked by a SWAT team and APC youths upon attempting to enter Nembe Bassambiri for the election.
He claimed that the situation escalated to the point where tear gas was used, and the voters had to leave due to the intimidation.
The protesters appealed to INEC to intervene, asserting that the election results from Nembe-Bassambiri should be canceled. They accused the APC of manipulating the election process in the area.
Meanwhile, Mr. Wilfred Ifogah, Head of Department for Voter Education & Publicity of INEC, Bayelsa State, called for calm.
He urged the protesters to submit their concerns in writing to the commission’s leadership.
