Dickson asks Sylva to accept defeat

Seriake Dickson, governor of Bayelsa state, has called on Timiprie Sylva, candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and his main opponent in the governorship election, to accept defeat.

Dickson, who is the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the election, said this while briefing reporters in Abuja on Saturday.

He said having won six out of the seven local government areas so far declared, it has become clear that he is the leading candidate.

Dickson also expressed confidence that he stood a chance to winning election in the remaining local government, adding that the Southern Ijaw was his stronghold.

He added that there was no APC presence in Southern Ijaw, saying in the last three and half years, his administration had done so much in the local government.

“If we were in decent clime, my brother and friend, Timiprie Sylva and his party should have conceded defeat long ago because I am the leading candidate,” he said.

Dickson lauded the decision of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a rerun in the affected area.

He alleged that what took place in Southern Ijaw was a complete abuse of electoral processes and the norms.

“The inconclusive election in the affected area was an election that never took place which everybody is aware of because there was hijack of election materials,” he said.

“We should be interested in asking some people who should be explaining how they came about sensitive documents.”

He called on the federal government and the security agencies to create an enabling environment and a level playing for electoral processes to succeed.

“The national security establishment must have their eyes on the ball by securing this country within and without,” he said.

“We are available to ensure that our country is safe because you cannot talk of security until every part of the country is safe.”

INEC has fixed January 9 for the rerun election.