It would be an epic battle for votes in the eight local government areas of the state where the foot soldiers and leaders of the rival parties will have to bring to bear their popularity and adroitness in securing votes for their principals.

Interestingly, the Bayelsa Central Senatorial District has the highest number of registered voters totalling 300,352. A breakdown of the figure in the zone shows that South Ijaw local government has 120,827 and Yenagoa LGA 139,777 while Kolokuma-Opokuma has 39, 748.

Southern Ijaw council area is a known flash point during elections. The area was also known for hosting the highest number of militant camps at the height of militancy in the Niger Delta.

Whichever party can dominant the vote cast in the central district is likely to win in terms of votes. Both the   PDP and APC have array of personalities in the zone.

The PDP assault team include among others, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Benson Kombowei from Korokrosei community, the chairman of the council area, Elder Remember Ogbe from the Amassoma flank another big community and home town of the first civilian governor of the state, late Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, a staunched supporter of Governor Dickson.

There is also Chief Patrick Osunu fondly called “Patos” by his admirers, a former chairman of the council area and very influential figure from Otuan clan. There are also pockets of ex militant leaders from the area who command respect among their community folks.

The APC on the other hand has Elder Wilberforce Igiri, running mate to Timipre Sylva. Though a reserved and an unassuming retired school principal from Forupa on the Atlantic of the council area, his choice as running mate to Sylva will no doubt swing the   votes in favour of his party in the area. The biggest asset of the APC in the area is its chairman, Chief Tiwe Orunimighe, a former chairman of the council, whom many had thought would be picked as running mate to Sylva. The party also boasts of large number of ex militants who command the respects of the youths in their various communities as loyal members.