The two frontline candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party and All Progressives Congress are working tirelessly to win the 101 polling units in the area which would account for 100,000 votes.
Already the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared results for seven out of the eight council areas with the incumbent governor, Dickson, scoring 105,748 against Sylva’s 72,534. Dickson leads his closest rival with 33,214 votes.
Information from INEC showed that voters with permanent voters in Southern Ijaw are about 70,000 while the accredited votes of the 101 cancelled units are slightly above 30,000, The Punch reports.
The apex electoral body had cancelled election in the area over alleged widespread violence, ballot snatching and hostage taking of electoral and employees.
Sylva, who is trailing behind Dickson, is working to secure an overwhelming victory in the areas as he hoped the people of Southern Ijaw would vote massively for him in the rescheduled poll.
This statement was made by the spokesman of the Sylva-Igiri Campaign Organization saying: “We rely on the people because the people are our strength.”
Sylva’s campaign office reads in part: “We want to tell them that in spite of all the talks, especially concerning violence and all that transpired and with all the threats from our opponents, they should not be afraid to come out in the rerun.
“Because we need the number in order to overturn the majority advantage the PDP already has, it is very critical for us to ensure that the people come out.
“So, what we are doing now is engaging the stakeholders, leaders of the various communities and various wards to get them to encourage the people to come out on the election day so that the people will vote for the APC.
“They should know that the more people that come out in Southern Ijaw the better our chances of getting victory over the PDP and the incumbent governor.
“Beyond that, there are also other areas elections will take place. There are over 100 polling units across the state in other local governments. We are also hoping to tap into those other opportunities to be able to help us to overturn the PDP majority.”
The former also called on security agencies to ensure that there is a level playing field for all candidates stating that the APC was seriously at a disadvantage during the cancelled poll.
Reacting to Sylva’s hope, Governor Seriake Dickson said that his main rival was daydreaming stating that he had lost the election.
He based his assumption on the fact that going by voting arithmetic, the trend of voting and fear of violence in December 6, he doubted if up to 40% of votes will be recorded in other areas during the poll.
He wondered how Sylva ever thought that he could win after losing six council areas with deficit of over 33,000 votes.
The governor also called on security operatives and INEC to give all candidates a level equal opportunity during the rerun.
Dickson said: “Going by the voting patterns in the state it is clear that election in Southern Ijaw is a mere formality. The election has already been won by the PDP and lost woefully by the APC.
“The Southern Ijaw is the stronghold of the PDP. Former Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha of his blessed memory was from Southern Ijaw. Also, Speaker, Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Kombowei Benson, Chief of Staff, Government House, Talford Ongolo, member representing SILGA in House of Reps, Mr. A. Daniel, are all from the area. If election is conducted in SILGA 100 times, I will win.”
