David Lyon

A billionare, David Lyon on Wednesday emerged as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the forthcoming gubernatorial elections in Bayelsa State. The primary which was conducted by the APC Bayelsa State Governorship Primary Election Committee headed by Yobe State Governor, Mai-Mala Buni, saw Lyon take the party’s flag in his state.

Declaring the results, the Collation Officer for the poll, Senator Emmanuel Dangana said Lyon polled 42, 138 votes to defeat five other aspirants in the election conducted using the direct system.

From the declared results, Diseye Poweigha came second with 1, 533 votes. He further disclosed that Maureen Etebu got 964 votes to place fourth. Ebitimi Amgbare polled 633 votes; the immediate past Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Heineken Lokpobiri got 571 votes while Preye Aganaba polled 354 votes.

Flanked by other officials of the team, Dangana said the APC adopted the direct primary method to conduct the exercise across the state, describing the poll as peaceful, free and fair.

Lyon, a key player in the oil and gas industry and major financier of the APC in the state is also believed to be the preferred choice of the Minister of State for Petroleum and former governor of the state, Timipre Sylva who stepped down from the contest.