The state governorship election is scheduled for September 21.
A different group of delegates met in a building on Commercial Avenue where they declared Shaibu as PDP’s candidate.
However, some delegates were being accredited at the Edo Hotel Marquee to move on to the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium venue of the primary election.
They said that after entering the venue to obtain accreditation, security personnel escorted them out.
They also alleged that the list of delegates published by the national leadership of the party was not the authentic one, adding that they saw names of people from Bayelsa State and members of the All Progressives Congress.
“During the counting of this primary election, Philip Shaibu has a score of 301 votes and therefore, we hereby declare Philip Shaibu as the authentic elected candidate for this election in the PDP,” said Bartholomew Moses, announcing Shaibu as the winner.
As soon as the exercise was almost over, gunmen broke into the area.
They arrived in a variety of cars, including a white Hilux, an unmarked white Sienna, and two black Toyota Hiace trucks, all of which were disguised as vigilantes.
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They fired randomly into the air, causing the people to flee in various directions in search of safety.
Festus Owu led the delegation of delegates who had protested at the deputy governor’s official lodge prior to the election, complaining to him about their lack of voting rights.
Shaibu addressed the delegates participating in the protest and pleaded with them to maintain their composure. I want to assure you that no one man can decide the fate of a people, and by God’s grace, they cannot deny you the right to vote. I also want to say that I am happy with the way you have conducted yourselves in a peaceful manner and that I do not want anyone to be harmed or harassed.
“The law is clear that you people are the authentic delegates. Now that they have pushed you away, they want to go and replace you but I assure you that your votes must count, they cannot change and replace your names. I assure you that I will take your protest to the committee that is coming but you must remain peaceful in everything you are doing.”
Speaking to journalists later, Shaibu said, “I saw the crowd outside and I asked who they are and they said they are delegates, I said they should be directed to the venue of the accreditation but they said they were protesting because they have been sent away from the venue of the accreditation and they won their election and they have their results.
“The election will hold and if a winner emerges with fake delegates, the election will not see the light of the day but if a winner emerges with the authentic delegates, there will be no problem, I am sure.”
