The Senator representing Bayelsa Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Douye Diri has emerged the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the November 16 governorship election in the state.

Senator Diri, who is Governor Seriake Dickson’s anointed candidate picked from the party’s Restoration Caucus won the primary election after polling 561 votes to beat twenty other aspirants.

The voting, which commenced late Tuesday night at about 11.30 pm dragged into the early hours of Wednesday.

Announcing the result, Mr Darius Ishaku, the Taraba State Governor and Chairman of the governorship electoral panel which conducted the poll said Timi Alaibe came second with 365 votes while Keniebi Okoko came third with 142 votes.

According to Ishaku, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John-Jonah (rtd) scored 62 votes while Benson Kombowei polled 24 votes. Arc. Reuben Okoya got 19 votes, with Kombowe Benson polling 24 votes.

He added that Ayawe Nimibofa and Joshua Maciver scored 7 votes each while Kemela Okara, Etolor Robinson, Franklin Osaisai and Bolade Igali polled 4 votes each. The trio of Benson Agadaga, Talford Ongolo, Kiyaramo Johnson and Alagoa David polled 3 votes each while Igiri Tobin got 2 votes.

According to Ishaku, 1,237 accredited delegates voted during the primaries out of which 16 votes were declared invalid.

Meanwhile, sporadic shootings by unidentified gunmen disrupted the Kogi State PDP governorship primaries which was held on Tuesday night. 

The primary election ended abruptly in the early hours of Wednesday when gunmen invaded the Lokoja Confluence Stadium, venue of the election while votes were being counted.