The Nigerian ruling Peoples Democratic Party(PDP)have recorded early lead in the Appeal court ordered governorship elections re-run in Bayelsa and Sokoto states, conducted on saturday, 24th May, 2008 by the Independent National Electoral commission(INEC).
Result sheets from majority of polling booths already collated, obtained by chidi opara reports, showed the PDP candidates, Messrs Timipre Sylva and Aliyu Wamakko of Bayelsa state and Sokoto state in an early lead.
The elections, especially in Sokoto state were largely peaceful, heavy security was however, visible in Bayelsa state. chidi opara reports noticed some pockets of disturbances in Twon Brass, Bayelsa state. These disturbances, we learnt were mainly from petty criminals who want to take advantage of the situation to extort money from politicians.This is a usual occurence during elections in Nigeria.
INEC had declared the PDP candidates in the two states, duely elected in the 2007 governorship elections, necesitating their being sworn in as governors. Their elections and subsequent swearing in were however, annulled by the court of Appeal and re-run elections ordered. The court of Appeal is the final arbiter in governorship election matters in Nigeria.
