Governor Seriake Dickson has emerged as the sole governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the upcoming governorship elections in Bayelsa State.

Two other candidates contesting the December 5 governorship race against him have been disqualified by the party.

Senator Emmanuel Paulker, representing Bayelsa Central Senatorial District, and Ebikintin Diongoli a former Local Government Chairman of Kolokuma/Opokuma, who also served as Commissioner for Sports Development in the Governor Dickson-led administration, were today disqualified from the race during a screening exercise at the Zonal Office in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Osom Macbere, confirmed that Governor Dickson passed the screening exercise which authorises him to run for the office of Governor the second time.

Up North, in Kogi State Governor Idris Wada was declared winner of the State PDP governorship primary election which took place at the Lokoja Confluence Stadium.

The election, which was earlier postponed from September 10 to 14, started on a peaceful note with the accreditation of candidates from each local government at about 2pm.

The electoral committee headed by the Governor of Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, went straight to election proper after checking the ballot boxes to ensure they were empty. Security was tight at the venue to forestall any breakdown of law.

Voting commenced with the statutory delegates led by Capt. Idris Wada, followed immediately by voting from each of the Local Government Area.

Before the counting of votes could get midway, one of Capt. Wada’s arch rivals, Jibrin Isah, in the spirit of sportsmanship, conceded defeat and embraced the Governor before leaving the venue.

At the end of the counting, the returning officer announced the result, declaring Governor Wada as the winner.

After his declaration, Capt. Wada promised to reconcile the aggrieved members of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state to ensure victory during the November 21, 2015 governorship election in the state.

He also hailed the conduct of the election which he said was credible, fair and transparent.

•Pieced together from separate Channels TV reports. Photo shows Governor Wada.

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