The camp of Timipre Sylva, candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the Bayelsa governorship election has accused Governor Seriake Dickson of orchestrating violent attacks on the supporters and members of the ruling party.

Director, Media and Publicity, Sylva-Igiri Campaign Organisation, Nathan Egba, alleged on Saturday that Governor Dickson imported over 5,000 thugs from neighbouring states of Delta and Rivers to perpetrate violence in the election.

He said: “The wave of attacks has confirmed our fears and the alarm earlier raised that Governor Dickson was the one planning to cause violence.

“The affected communities are Oporoma in Southern Ijaw LGA, where the state Chairman of the APC, Tiwei Orunimighe, hails from; Nembe LGA; Brass LGA home of the APC governorship candidate, Timipre Sylva; and Ekeremor LGA home of the Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri.

“In Nembe-Ogbolomabiri on Friday, two APC members were shot, until the Military Task Force ordered every resident to go into their houses and remain indoors.

“In Sagbama town, headquarters of Sagbama LGA, one APC supporter was attacked. Sagbama is the LGA of Governor Dickson, who is the PDP candidate.

“In Oporoma, headquarters of Southern Ijaw LGA, it took the military force to repel the PDP thugs who had planned to snatch the sensitive election materials. Four persons were reportedly killed in the gun battle.”