It’s mostly quiet in Bayelsa state twenty-four hours to the governorship election, there’s a presence of security personnel around the state but nothing unusual from what is expected on a daily routine. But beneath that seemingly peaceful mien lies genuine fears by the residents of the state. Fear of a breakout of violence by the major political actors who appear desperate and ready to put in everything to emerge victorious at the polls by fair or foul means. Armed security personnel could be heard with their siren blaring occasionally, it, however, never got to an irritating or nuisance level

The contest is a two-horse race despite having 16 candidates on the ballot. The two leading candidates have had opportunity to be in the saddle before as governor. Incumbent Governor Duoye Diri is squaring up with a former Governor, Sylvia. Both candidates have attributes that attract them to the electorate. The incumbent governor is perceived a peaceful man under whose tenure in the last four years, peace had prevailed in the state. His major challenger, Timipre Sylva is perceived generous man who empowered several people during his tenure.

On the street of Yenagoa, both are evenly matched and the battle could go either way – Diri or Sylva. There are last minutes manouvers and deployment of strategies as well as endorsements by prominent citizens and groups either for or against. One of such significant endorsement was that of former President Goodluck Jonathan who has openly declared his support for the incumbent Governor Duoye Diri. How much weight is attached to this would be known on November 11, 2023.

Up until Thursday night, palliatives could be seen being distributed along the express way by the state government. The timing of the distribution is perceived suspicious as the palliatives have been in its custody months ago. It was unclear whether the palliatives were those sent by the federal government or procured by the state government or a hybrid of both. It is being alleged it is part of the incumbent governor’s game of stomach infrastructure. It was also being alleged that a huge war chest would be unleashed in the state in the next twenty-four hours. As of Thursday night, political actors were putting finishing touches to their strategies.

It was a big business boom for hoteliers, virtually all the hotels in Yenagoa; both high and low were booked to full capacity as at Thursday November 9, 2023. Political actors were holding their nocturnal meetings in some of those hotels while reservations were made in hotels for strange visitors that may be imported from other states for election duties. As INEC was busy distributing the sensitive documents to the local government areas, the politicians were also busy distributing their logistics and tools for winning election. The Independent Corrupt and Other Related Offences Commission said he had deployed its officers to arrest those that will engage in vote buying. Its counterpart organization, the EFCC has done the same.

The media was also a beneficiary of increased patronage as several advertisement materials and statements were despatched to different popular radio and television stations for airing. By the Electoral Act, all forms of campaigns should come to an end forty-eight hours to election. Many politicians often kept their best adverts against their opponents till the last minute. Such adverts are usually targeted at their opponents at a time there may not be an opportunity to respond.

Some residents of Yenagoa woke up to share their experiences on what may have caused several gun shots heard in the night from different parts of the state capital. They were not sure whether it was the Police demonstrating its show of force or they were from non-state actors. There were, however, allegations by some victims who said explosive devices were thrown into their compounds damaging their property. For now, it is uneasy calm and the people are apprehensive of what could happen on election day. The feeling is like there is something ominous in the air. What would happen and how it would happen are yet to be seen. But, the average Bayelsan wants a peaceful election where their votes would count.

For Timipreye Sylvia and the APC, four local governments hold the aces. These are Nembe, Brass, Ekeremor and Southern Ijaw. Bayelsa has eight local governments but it is what happens or does not happen in those four local govenments that would determine Sylvia’s fate. They are all located in the riverine areas where logistics of getting electoral materials often posed a challenge but has improved in recent time. The electoral body distributed life jackets to its officials going across the eight local government areas of Bayelsa State.

The eight local government areas of Bayelsa are Ekeremor, Kolokuma/Opokuma, Yenagoa, Nembe, Ogbia, Sagbama, Brass and Southern Ijaw. If the incumbent governor is able to hold his own in the four local governments of Nembe, Brass, Ekeremor and Southern Ijaw, it is believed he would have an advantage in the other four local governments over Sylvia.

Bayelsa state has a total registered number of 1,056,802 though only 1,017,613 collected their voter cards and would be eligible to vote in the governorship poll. There are 105 Registration Areas while election would take place in 2,242 polling units across the state.

INEC Optimistic of Peaceful Electoral Process

For Obong Effanga, the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Rivers State, INEC expects that all would go well as the electoral body has sorted everything well from its end. “I’m satisfied with our preparations for the election. If there are areas the security agencies suspect there would be violence, we expect them to be proactive and nip it in the bud”

He admonished political actors against violence “if violence occurs anywhere, it might have been triggered by the political actors”

Meanwhile everywhere is calm and everybody seems to be getting ready for the election tomorrow. The whole of Bayelsa is praying for a peaceful election and the masses may resist attempts not to make their votes count.