The acting Speaker, Bayelsa State, Hon. Nestor Binabo, on Saturday escaped death by whiskers as he was attacked by an angry mob for allegedly diverting the election materials. This was just as the Vice-President; Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, commended the people for their peaceful conduct during the election.
Hon. Binabo was attacked by irate youths in Amassoma in Southern-Ijaw local government area of the state, the home town of the erstwhile governor of the state, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, for allegedly hijacking the election materials meant for voters in Ogoibiri, Sagbama Local Government area of the state, and also the home town of the gubernatorial candidate of the Action Congress, Prince Ebitimi Amgbare.
The officers of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), were said to be in the convoy of the acting Speaker who is expected to cast his vote in Ukumbiri in the same local government area of the state.
A security source told our correspondent that the irate youths having got wind that the election materials to be used in Ogoibiri was in the convoy of the acting Speaker, waited patiently at Amassoma junction, hoping that the lawmaker would have a stop-over there to drop both the officials and the materials.
However, to their chagrin, the convoy, instead of having a stop- over zoomed off. Sensing the alleged antics, the security source said the convoy was given a hot chase by the mob.
The mob, as reliably informed, caught up with the acting speaker and subsequently rough-handled him before he later sought refuge at the Amassoma Police Station where he stayed for close to three hours.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, Iniobong Ibokette, even though could not confirm the incident, said he learnt there was a minor problem in Amassoma but that it had since been resolved.
Also, when contacted, the INEC, Public Relations Officer, Timidi Wariowe denied the incident, saying that there was nothing like that.
In a related development, heavy downpour and poor turnout nearly marred the governorship election as people, instead of exercising their voting rights, stayed indoors.
Market women were seen displaying their wares at the popular Amarata market in Yenagoa local government area of the state, while motorcyclists, otherwise known as okada riders had a busy day conveying people from one spot to the other.
When our correspondent visited Otuoke, in Ogbia Local Government area of the state, which also serve as the home town of the vice-president, a pocket of handful voters were seen exercising their voting rights.
Election materials arrived Otuoke around 10:45a.m. while voting commenced at 10:58a.m. with Dr. Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Mrs. Patience Jonathan, casting their votes in Ward 13 at 10:58a.m.
Speaking on the late arrival of election materials to, most, especially riverine, areas, Dr. Jonathan stated that transporting material from upland to hinterland was cumbersome.