Controversial primaries: Dickson picks Bayelsa PDP ticket

The controversy-dogged Bayelsa PDP gubernatorial primaries came to a close earlier today with Mr. Henry Dickson picking the party's ticket.At the end of counting, Mr. Henry Dickson was found to have scored a total of 365 votes. Among his challengers, Chief Francis Amaebi Doukpola and Mr Kalango Youppele scored 1 vote each, Austin Febo and Mr Ekiyegha Korobido had two votes each while Mr. Bolubo Orufa and Chief Christopher Enai Fullpower both scored no votes.Four of the aspirants - Chief Christopher Enai Fullpower, Mr. Bolubo Orufa, Austin Febo and Chief Francis Amaebi Doukpola - had claimed announced their decision to withdraw from the race just before voting was to begin at the Samson Siasia stadium, claiming that the process had been riddled with 'irregularities'.They complained that INEC was not present to supervise the election and therefore did not want to be part of any irregularities and that was why they chose to withdraw their participation from the primaries.In addition, the four aspirants had complained to the committee that they did not recognise the Ward congresses which were held on Monday and therefore wondered where the delegates came from for the voting.The controversy was further compounded by a court order which had been obtained by current Bayelsa governor, Timipre Sylva, asking the party not to hold the primaries.
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