Former Governor of Bayelsa, Timipre Sylva on Tuesday emerged winner of the All Progressive Congress, APC, governorship primary in Bayelsa under controversial circumstances.

Sylva got 726 votes to beat Timi Alaibe, former special adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs, Timi Alaibe who got only four votes.

The result was announced by Nelson Alakpa, a member of the primary election committee headed by governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole.

The primary was marred by violence as some thugs disrupted the accreditation of delegates, which led to the suspension of the process primary held at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex in Yenagoa.

Aspirants also alleged that delegates loyal to them were either beaten by thugs or denied entry into the venue.

Policemen deployed to the venue had to use tear gas to disperse the delegates involved in the scuffle.

The seven man committee was forced to momentarily suspend the primary and hold hold an emergency meeting with the 19 aspirants which lasted for two hours.

The meeting obviously failed to resolve issues in contention as many of the aspirants emerged from the meeting and left with their supporters.

Alaibe, one of the aspirants who staged a walk out called for a postponement of the primary so that only duly accredited delegates would take part in the election.

Other aspirants too left with their supporters, leaving only Sylva and delegates who supported him to take part in the primary.

Oshiomhole had left the venue around 5.00 pm without addressing the remaining delegates but handed proceedings to Alakpa who conducted the primary and announced the results.