TheCable

The situation in Southern Ijaw local government area of Bayelsa state is tensed at the moment, as pressure mounts on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to postpone the rescheduled election.

INEC rescheduled the exercise in the local government as a result of violence, with supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressive Congress (APC) engaging in a gun duel.

Around 8:30am on Sunday, Seriake Dickson, governor of the state, showed up at Oporomo community, which is the headquarters of Southern Ijaw, where he appealed to INEC to postpone the election in the community as a result of violence.

Supporters of the APC followed Dickson around, chanting ‘APC change! APC change!’

Not long after the governor left, Kobiwe Benson, speaker of the state house of assembly; Monday Obolobubo, a member of the assembly; and Daniel Igali, another member, urged INEC to shift the exercise.

They said communities such as Enewari, Diebu, Kanyabiri, Emete and Okigbini were under siege.

There is heavy security presence in the area and hundreds of youths are mounting strategic positions.

A group of women carrying placards have been demonstrating, singing: “We want peace o, we want peace’ It is not clear if election will still hold.

INEC is yet to give any official position.