There was pandemonium in Sagbama Local Government Area (LGA) of Bayelsa State on Friday after suspected political thugs disrupted the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) primary for Sagbama Constituency 2.
The Sagbama Pavilion centre at Mile 1 had earlier witnessed a peaceful affirmation of votes for the NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi, Bayelsa West Senatorial District candidate Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, and Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency candidate Selekebina Saboh.
According to reports, the disruption began midway through counting for the Sagbama Constituency primary, which was being conducted as a direct primary between former commissioner and two-time council chairman Hon Michael Magbisa and grassroots politician Felix Wilson, according to Electoral Officer Abraham Abiji and Returning Officer Matthew Godday.
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Magbisa initially objected that Wilson was not a card-carrying member, but Wilson produced his registration card and identification number to refute the claim.
Tension escalated when delegates were asked to queue behind their preferred candidate.
The Returning Officer, Godday, was attacked and taken away by armed youths as he moved to coordinate the queue.
Despite the chaos, reports said members of the national electoral panel continued counting.
They had recorded 885 votes for Wilson when suspected thugs, seeing he was on course for victory, attacked delegates with machetes and other weapons.
Delegates and election officials were forced to flee, bringing the process to an abrupt end.
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