Daniel Iworiso-Markson is the immediate past Commissioner for Information and Orientation in Bayelsa State and candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) for Ogbia Federal Constituency in next year’s general elections. In this interview with reporters in Port Harcourt, he speaks about the crisis that made him abandon the PDP. MIKE ODIEGWU was there.
Your sudden resignation from the PDP came as a huge surprise to many. What happened?
It was a painful but inevitable decision that I had to leave the PDP. It took me quite a lot to arrive at that courageous decision. I knew that it was not going to go down well with many people, including Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, my former boss and the immediate past Bayelsa State governor. But, then, I had made up my mind and there was no going back. I was one of the loyal members of the party that was treated so unfairly, especially in the buildup to the primary. I contested for the party’s ticket to represent my constituency in the House of Representatives and I knew that if a level-playing ground had been created, I would have won. But, from the moment I joined the race, I became a strong target for character assassination. I was serially blackmailed, humiliated and frustrated. Right there at the venue of the primary, there was a directive that a particular aspirant should be voted for. Delegates who wanted to vote for were threatened. Before that time, some of my staunch supporters were called to the Government House to withdraw their support for me. It was a grand and calculated action by some forces of darkness.
What did you suspect led to all of the orchestrated action against you?
Personal hatred borne out of malice, the treachery of the worst kind exhumed from the pit of hell. One of the lies that was consistently told against me was that I am a Lagos boy and that I do not have any electoral value. This lie was sustained throughout the period. Those behind it claim that if I get the ticket, the PDP will lose the election. Some of the people behind the lies were people I had helped to deliver their election. I worked for their victory and emergence in previous elections. As if that was not enough, after the primary, I was never contacted by the party leadership and even the committee that was set up for reconciliation did not deem it necessary to reach out to me.
So, it became very clear to me that I was now an orphan at the party. I had to leave. Those who kicked against my defection did so because they have not suffered the kind of humiliation I suffered. I was treated with disdain and they extended it to my supporters. Many of my supporters who are appointees of the government were excoriated for daring to support me without waiting to get clear directives from the governor. The witch-hunt on my supporters and gross disregard for my person not minding my contributions and years of loyalty to the party, even at great cost to my safety and life made it unbearable to continue with the party. Anyway, I am at peace with myself where I am now.
Why did you choose the SDP?
Their ideology as a party is in tandem with my agenda for the people of Ogbia. I believe that the SDP platform is the right vehicle. I consulted with my political family and my supporters all endorsed the SDP as the right vehicle. As the candidate of the party, I am optimistic that by the grace of God, I will emerge as the winner of the election. It is an opportunity for me to test my strength in the political arena. Let me also see if truly I lack electoral value. But, I must say that my aspiration is people driven. It is the people of Ogbia that want real development that is behind it. After the PDP primary, since they were aware of what happened, they kept insisting that I move to another party to realize my ambition. It was part of their counsel that guided me. I am happy with the kind of support that we have received so far and we will break new ground as the day goes by.
You were close to the governor; did you inform him you were leaving the PDP?
I tried to reach out to him out of respect as the leader of the party. I made several efforts and attempts but it was unsuccessful. I knew that it will be bad for him to hear it from the media. Sadly, since I couldn’t, I left. I must say here that I do not have anything against the governor. We have been together in government since 2012. We both worked under Senator Dickson as governor. We were one of his closest aides. When the party decided to pick him to fly its flag in 2019, we all supported him until the last day. Some of the people who are claiming to love him today were nowhere. They abandoned him and pursued their agenda. They were seriously negotiating how to crossover to the APC because they never believed that the Supreme Court will favour us. This is what even the governor knows. But today, they are the ones that are calling the shots and making things difficult for him.
Why do you say they are making things difficult for him?
They have succeeded in creating some kind of political dichotomy. What they call Restoration Boys are those who are close to the former governor and the Prosperity boys are those serving the governor now. It is this attitude they have advanced that is now a big threat to the PDP. They want to alienate most of the people who still pay allegiance to the former governor by all means. So, it is laughable that people could create such division and they are being allowed to do so. I feel so sad because we worked so well and kept faith with this governor to emerge. When he did we kept supporting him to succeed because we see his administration as an extension or continuation of the previous one. I was impressed by the steps he took to unite the party, to bring back aggrieved members who had resigned. He also continued the legacy projects that were not completed by the former governor. But, sadly, people like us have to leave and many more are likely to leave because of the level of exclusion and victimization that is going on in the PDP.
What is your relationship with the governor now?
We have a cordial relationship. He is the governor of the state and I have the highest regard for him. He knows I have nothing personal against him. If anything, he knows I genuinely mean well for him and I want his government to succeed. We may have been separated by politics because of our different platforms but we are all still Bayelsans and just like him I am all out for the peace, unity and development of our state. That is my number one priority. That is why I am in the race to represent my people in the House of Representatives.
Do you think that the SDP has the spread and structure to defeat the PDP in Bayelsa?
Structures are built by people. We have about seven months to the election and people will be surprised at how widely accepted the SDP will become. I have said it before and let me repeat it here that I am not contesting this election because of my interest. I am concerned about the development of Ogbia where I come from and intend to represent the constituency at the National Assembly. It was in Ogbia that oil was first discovered in commercial quantity and so we should have our pride of place in the country. We cannot continue to occupy the back seat. More so, the National Assembly is not a dumping ground for mediocrities. If we have to get it right for the next four years, then we need to send our best and I consider myself one of the best. I have had private and public sector experience. I have interacted with people from diverse cultures and backgrounds. My contacts and connections all put me ahead of others in this race. I have also travelled widely and seen what places blessed with natural resources look like and it is time to replicate that in Ogbia.
What will make you step down from the race?
Step down for whom or for what? I am in the race to win. As it stands now, the PDP may not even have a candidate for the election because of the current crisis rocking the party. One of the aspirants who contested the primary with me went to court to challenge the winner. From a legal perspective, if his prayers are granted, the court may ask INEC to exclude the PDP. So, who then will I step down for? I didn’t wake up to join this race only to end up stepping down for someone. I will run till the end. Power comes from God and He gives to whoever He pleases to give. God through the people will give me the power to lead my people, using the Green Chambers.
Do you see yourself rejoining the PDP?
I don’t want to talk about that now so I don’t get distracted. I am concentrating on the task of being elected into the House of Representatives to rescue my people from the clutches of under-development, poverty, disunity and lack. I am determined and committed to offering better representation to my people. They need a strong voice that will be heard loud and clear. As contained in my manifesto, which is anchored on six pillars, I want to work for a strong bond of unity, education and empowerment to create a special status for Ogbia, to ensure the realization of the Oloibiri Oil Museum, and make it a UNESCO heritage site. I also plan to institute a channel for effective communication. This is the thrust of my aspiration.
With the gale of defections, do you think Governor Diri has a chance to be re-elected on the platform of the PDP?
The PDP is enmeshed in serious crisis as of today. The conduct of the last primary and its outcome was not managed very well. It will be difficult for the party to win elections in many areas, except if they do something urgent to correct the anomalies and injustice. I am not going to dwell much on their affairs because I am no longer a member. I wish them well.