TELL Magazine

By Emmanuel Obe

The Nigeria Police Force has deployed several thousands of policemen in Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa State ahead of Tuesday’s governorship primary election of the All Progressives Congress (APC).   There were also deployments of policemen at new checkpoints on major roads leading to Bayelsa State from neighbouring Rivers and Delta States.   The Bayelsa State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Asinim Butswats, told TELL that though the force was not expecting any serious threat to security, it was taking precautions.   “We are not expecting violence because it is an intra-party event. But we are prepared for eventualities.   “We have massively deployed our men at the party secretariat and the Samson Siasia Stadium venue of the event,” Butswats said.   Prominent among the contestants are former Bayelsa State Governor, Timipre Sylva, former Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Timi Alaibe and former NDDC Chairman, Prof Tarila Tebepah.   The governorship election is due in December, while the next state governor will be inaugurated in April next year.