ODAHIEKWU OGUNDE, Yenagoa
Former Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Seriake Dickson, has won the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ticket for Bayelsa West Senatorial District.
The senator representing the district in the Red Chambers polled a total of 57 votes to emerge as the candidate of the party following the withdrawal of his main challenger, Donald Daunemigha before the commencement of the exercise.
Daunemigha, a former aide to Governor Douye Diri had reportedly in a private meeting with the governor on Tuesday disclosed his intention to withdraw from the race.
The two time chairman of Ekeremor Local Government Area had earlier resigned his appointment to contest the primary election.
Declaring Dickson as winner, the returning officer, Gospower Ake said a total of 62 ad hoc delegates from Sagbama and Ekeremor local governments areas, participated in the exercise. Speaking to reporters shortly after he was declared winner, Senator Dickson described the process as free, fair and transparent, saying the outcome was the popular wish of the people. He thanked all the delegates and his supporters for believing in him and promised to continue to fight and work for the interest of the people when he eventually returns to the senate.
He also warned the people against any form of electoral violence during the forthcoming election and urged them not to let themselves be used as a tool for any electoral violence.
He said: “I thank and appreciate the abiding support and solidarity that I have received and enjoyed all these years by the good people of this senetorial district.
“I thank the elders of our party who have been solidly behind us, I thank the organising team that came, party leaders, INEC and security for providing conducive atmosphere. I thank the almighty delegates, they are our bosses in this process”.
Also, immediate former Chief of Staff, Government House, Chief Benson Agadaga, picked the party’s ticket for Bayelsa East Senatorial District comprising Nembe, Brass and Ogbia LGAs.Agadaga scored 67 votes to beat his closest rival, Barrister Rex Ogbuku who scored 41 votes.
A Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) retired, Mr Nyenami Odual, polled two votes.The primary election was delayed in Bayelsa Central Senatorial District where the incumbent senator, Moses Cleopas, slugged it out with immediate Secretary to the State Government, Dr Konbowei Benson.
It was discovered that there was an error in the ballot paper whereby Moses Cleopas was in the ballot but his name was replaced by Hon. Oboku Oforji, who won yesterday’s House of Reps primary for Yenagoa/Kolokuma-Opokuma federal constituency.
The development caused some chaos leading to the shifting of the election by over two hours.
However, a yet to be confirmed results indicated that Konbowei Benson polled 110 votes to defeat the incumbent senator, Cleopas, who reportedly got 22 votes.
