By Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa
The Bayelsa State governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief David Lyon, has slammed a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Keniebi Okoko, following his allegation that he lacked the capacity to win the November 16 election.
Lyon, in a statement signed by his media aide, Chief Gift Ebiki, accused Okoko of suffering from a post-traumatic disorder caused by his failed bid as a governorship aspirant to clinch the ticket of his party.
The APC candidate said the way and manner Okoko was deceived by his party elders and defeated at the PDP primaries, despite spending huge amount and other resources, were enough to cause such trauma.
He asked Okoko to beseech God and pray for quick recovery from the shock he suffered at the primary election, to enable him accept the reality of a crushing and embarrassing defeat waiting for his party at the polls.
Lyon said Okoko misfired for “comparing me, who is already cruising to victory following my mass appeal and popularity” in the state with the candidate of the PDP, Senator Douye Diri, “who is battling popularity crisis.”
He said Okoko had further shown his immaturity for allowing the government to use him as an attack dog, even when it was clear that his party, especially the current administration, had disappointed the state.
Lyon said: “I am a well-nurtured, responsible and mature person, who will not turn logic in its head for political convenience. I have demonstrated value for human lives and will never allow myself to be used as an attack dog.
“I urge Okoko to tell Bayelsans how many people he has empowered in his community. Instead of using his wealth to create jobs for his immediate family and community, he uses his wealth to hire private jets to go to South Africa for birthday parties, while his kinsmen are in abject poverty.
“Keniebi Okoko, as far as I am concerned, cannot manage his mental instability, having lost his primary election because he has promised a lot of IOCs that he would be the next governor of Bayelsa State. Unfortunately, he couldn’t have been elected as a councillor in his ward.
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“Okoko has now been hired as an attack dog by Governor Dickson to cast aspersions on me, saying I am not competent and cannot cope in the midst of other governors.
“I don’t know the parameters he used to make that assessment. Every success I have in my life is by dint of my hard work and commitment, coupled with the blessings of God. Keniebe Okoko lacks courage to think on his own to make success in life.
“I say emphatically that I’m not contesting election with Douye Diri, but I am contesting the election with Governor Dickson and his inglorious Restoration Team. I was properly groomed in community, local government, state and oil company politics before emerging as the governorship candidate of the APC.
“I know that Bayelsans are wise enough to make a choice in the November 16 election, and I, David Lyon, will win the election by a landslide.”
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