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Tag: Bayelsa PDP

  • No endorsement for Atiku, others yet, says Bayelsa PDP

    The Bayelsa State Chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has declared that there is no preferred presidential aspirant yet.

    It dissociated itself from the purported endordement of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar by former President Goodluck Jonathan.

    The former vice president on Tuesday visited Jonathan in his home state as part of his “sensitisation tour.”

    But the Bayelsa PDP said all aspirants were free to visit the state to seek support from the members and leadership of the party.

    Bayelsa PDP Chairman Moses Cleopas, in a statement, said the position of the party on presidential aspirants was endorsed by Dickson.

    He said the party would receive all aspirants and accord each of them the respect, hospitality and the courtesy they deserved.

    He stressed that while it was the position of the party to receive and hold consultative talks with all aspirants, the party in the state would not endorse any particular candidate before the convention.

    Cleopas explained that after receiving all the aspirant the party stakeholders would collectively take a decision on endorsement at the PDP convention.

    He said: “The Bayelsa State chapter of the PDP will receive all presidential aspirants under the platform of the party. The party in Bayelsa will ensure that all presidential aspirants are treated fairly with the respect and courtesy they deserve.

    “However, it is the position of the state chapter of the party that there would be no endorsement of any particular candidate before the convention.

    “The position of the state would be decided collectively and expressed at the convention ground.”

    Cleopas said it was encouraging that people of integrity with the requisite political clout were aspiring to run for President in the 2019 election on the platform of the PDP.

    He said the PDP had the strength to wrest political power from the APC in 2019, with its vast spread and visible presence in all the 774 local government areas and every ward in the country.

    The party chairman who stressed that Bayelsa is a PDP State, thanked the leaders and members of the party for turning out to receive one of the presidential aspirants,  Atiku Abubakar, at a very short notice and encouraged them to do same for other aspirants.

  • Bayelsa: Jonathan too big to be a PDP local champion

    Bayelsa: Jonathan too big to be a PDP local champion

    Ex- President Goodluck Jonathan is not interested in hijacking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) structure in Bayelsa State, a group under the aegis of PDP Southsouth League has said.

    The PDP group, in a statement jointly signed by its Chairman,  Ariolu Tebidapa (Delta State) and Secretary, Mr. Akpan Ibibio (Akwa Ibom) said Jonathan “is too big to hijack the state party structure” at a time when he is widely celebrated nationally and internationally for his tremendous achievements.

    The statement reads: “We have been observing for some time, a new trend of sponsored attempts aimed at reducing and ridiculing the tall image and personality of former President Goodluck Jonathan. It is however , most unfortunate that those behind this, are people within the South South region, at a time when the former President is widely celebrated both nationally and internationally for his tremendous achievements which Nigerians are now attesting to comparatively.

    “As concerned PDP members from the South South region, we cannot fold our arms to watch anyone or group, malign our father and leader in the person of His Excellency, Goodluck Jonathan; hence we have decided to speak up.”

    The group said some persons within the PDP who sees the former President as a threat ahead of 2019 elections had refused to back down after the Supreme Court judgement had laid to rest the leadership crisis that rocked the party.

    It added that the former president was not interested in contesting the 2019 general elections.

    “His Excellency, former President Goodluck Jonathan is not contesting for the office of the President of the federal republic of Nigeria, even though he is well qualified constitutionally and by pedigree because he is still widely loved and accepted by Nigerians.

    “Former President Goodluck Jonathan that we know, is a perfect gentleman and the National leader of our party PDP, who will not want to reduce himself to affairs of one state or a region as some persons may want to project him. He is a father who forgives and listens to everyone no matter your status; and will always sacrifice his comfort for peace at any cost.

    “It is obvious, that since after the supreme court judgement that laid to rest the leadership crisis that rocked the PDP, some persons within the party in the region, are still not settled due to the role they played, in spite of the fact that the party has granted amnesty to all those who worked against the interest of the party. These persons see the former President, Goodluck Jonathan as a threat, hence their reactions in trying to attack his personality,” the statement said.

    The group accused those who feel threatened by the former President’s achievements of spreading falsehood against him.

    “We consider this story as an imagination from those who are being chased by their shadow. As the leader of the party, how can he be interested in only one state when the party is preparing for elective congresses and National convention?

    “If at all former President Goodluck Jonathan is interested in anything, it should rather be who leads the party at the national level to push forward his vision for Nigeria.

    “Consequently, we consider all these as attempts to distract the attention of the former President, at a time when he is busy working with other party leaders and focusing his attention on how to reposition our great party and Nigeria for the challenges ahead,” the statement added.

  • Bayelsa PDP, opposition trade words over violence

    Bayelsa PDP, opposition trade words over violence

    •Inauguration of APC acting chair turns sour

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State, yesterday, engaged in verbal attacks with the state  All Progressives Congress (APC), following the violence that rocked APC’s secretariat in Yenagoa, the state capital.

    Violence broke out at the APC secretariat last Friday during inauguration of the party’s acting chairman, Mr. Joseph Fafi, leading to the death of two persons. Many, including journalists, were injured.

    Briefing journalists yesterday, state Chairman of PDP  Cleopas Moses said the supremacy battle showed the APC played do-or-die politics.

    He described the attack, in which guns and other weapons were used, as embarrassing and a threat to grassroots democracy.

    He said: “We are worried about the violence, which resulted to reported deaths and destruction of Bayelsans in the disguise of politics. The extreme violence has become a recurring decimal in almost all APC activities in the state.

    “The APC 2015 governorship primaries, APC 2017 non-elective congresses and the attempted inauguration of their Acting state chairman on August 18, 2017 have been bloodletting.

    Cleopas called on the commissioner of Police and other security agencies to produce the culprits  and bring them to justice.

    He praised the efforts of Governor Seriake Dickson in sustaining peace in the state and appealed to him not to relent in protecting life.

    Moses called on PDP members to support Dickson, adding that the governor will take them to the promised land.

    Acting Chairman of APC Joseph Fafi also condemned the incident and asked security agencies to unmask the perpetrators and their sponsors.

    But he said the PDP was intimidated by the rising profile of the APC and a change in leadership to rescue the state from bad governance.

    He said: “It goes without saying that politics should be devoid of bitterness, rancour and acrimony. Those who sponsored these hoodlums to take life and destroy property are themselves equally culpable of these dastardly and nefarious acts.

    “Bayelsans are enjoined to be vigilant while security agents and law enforcement agencies should step up their acts towards their arrest and prosecution.

    “We are determined to give Bayelsans and all those living and doing business in the state a new lease of life. This is a new dawn; it is no longer business as usual.

    “The old, corrupt and mundane order must give way because change has come to stay. All we ask from Bayelsans is their unalloyed support”.

    Also, an APC chieftain, Chief Wilfred Ogbotobo, described the statement credited to the PDP as preposterous and ridiculous.

    “The state government needs to ask itself who, among the APC and PDP, has a record of violence, impunity and lawlessness in Bayelsa politics? Who has the moral high-ground to pontificate on violence and security breach in political conduct and character?

    “We also view it as another veiled effort to calumniate Chief Sylva. However, we urge the government to face the grave allegation “that the assailants abandoned the Hiace bus with number plate BYGH 335, on sighting policemen after the incident”.

    The Seriake administration should grapple with the question of how this number plate got to be used by assassins. Did the government release the number plate, to facilitate easy movement of the hoodlums and weapons, to execute the gruesome act or not?

    “This all-important allegation must be addressed first before Bayelsans would heed  any frivolous innuendoes. A Government House number plate being used on a vehicle to ease assassination of Bayelsans is a serious matter in the 21st century.

    “Contrary to the infantile insinuations of the PDP government, Bayelsans know that the APC is a peaceful and law-abiding party.

    “Bayelsans should be told that it is the Bayelsa PDP and the Seriake Dickson administration that are genetically configured to be violent, lawless and indolent, from inception”.

  • Bayelsa PDP elders meet Dickson over defection

    Bayelsa PDP elders meet Dickson over defection

    Bayelsa State elders and members of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have met with Governor Seriake Dickson, following the mass exodus of the party members to the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the December 5 governorship election.

    A statement yesterday by Dickson’s Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Mr. Daniel Iworsio-Markson, said the elders met under the aegis of Bayelsa Elders Consultative Council (BECC). They were said those who defected from the PDP to the APC “are a disgrace to the Ijaw nation”.

    The elders unanimously passed a vote of confidence in the governor, urging him to re-contest.

    They berated the defectors, saying they are “fair weather politicians with a savage mentality”.

    Dignitaries at the meeting included the Chairman of the State Traditional Rulers Council, King Alfred Diete-Spiff; former Military Governor of old Bendel State, General John Yeri, (retd.); Chairman of the Bayelsa State Founding Fathers’ Forum, Dr. Amba Ambaiowei and Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof Edmond Allison-Oguru.

    The statement said Dickson decried the spate of defection, adding that the defectors are ingrates, who do not mean well for the state.

    The governor noted that most of the defectors were major beneficiaries of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan’s magnanimity, who abandoned him as soon as he lost the March 28 presidential election.

    He said such persons should have reciprocated the former President’s goodwill by remaining in the party instead of outright turning their backs against him.

    Dickson said: “These persons are clearly not for us; they are enemies of the Ijaw nation. It is sad that people who have benefited immensely from the PDP and Dr. Jonathan could, within so short a time, jump ship. Yet, they come and deceive us that they love us. These are not persons to be taken serious. We must not fall prey to their antics.”

    The governor urged security agencies to increase their efforts at ridding the state of criminality, despite the prevailing peace.

    He noted that the recent upsurge in kidnapping, piracy, killings and other criminal activities, might have political undertones, among other factors. Dickson decried the attacks on his administration.

    The governor said despite the distractions, the state government had continued to promote the freedom of speech and expression.

    On the state’s financial situation, Dickson said although there had been a shortfall in the revenue accruing to the state from the federal allocation, the government remained committed to paying workers’ salaries and pensioners’ entitlements.

    He said: “My government has completed big projects, such as the Toru-Ebeni Bridge, Ogbia/Nembe Road, the road to Boro town and the building of several secondary and primary schools at about N23 billion.

    The governor assured that the development of Bayelsa State would always be given priority.

    He called for the support, encouragement and prayers of well-meaning residents.

    Dickson said: “While I ask for your support, encouragement and prayers to make Bayelsa a better place for all, we need to tap your wealth of experience and wisdom as the government builds institutions to move the state to greater to heights.”

    The forum’s Chairman Francis Doukpola said the interaction would foster a better understanding and cooperation among stakeholders.

    He urged traditional rulers to take security issues seriously by monitoring the activities of their subjects.

    Doukpola hailed the governor for his pragmatic leadership style and commitment to the development of the state.

    He said such achievements were unprecedented in the history of the state.

     

  • You’re traitors to Ijaw, Bayelsa PDP tells defectors

    You’re traitors to Ijaw, Bayelsa PDP tells defectors

    Bayelsa State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday called its founding members, leaders and party chiefs defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the December 5 governorship election, traitors.

    The PDP chapter has suffered mass defections, which led political associates and friends of former President Goodluck Jonathan to move to the APC.

    On Friday, a two-time member of the House of Representatives, Mr. Warman Ogoriba, led hundreds of former political office holders, close associates of former President Jonathan and ex-officials of the PDP to the APC in an elaborate ceremony.

    Ogoriba’s defection came a few weeks, after Chief Dikivie Ikiogha, a former Chief of Staff in Governor Seriake Dickson’s administration and ally of Jonathan, dumped the PDP for the APC.

    But the PDP said those abandoning its fold were “traitors and enemies of the Ijaw nation”.

    The state’s PDP Secretary, Keku Godspower, berated the defectors.

    He described their action as most reprehensible.

    Godspower said the defection was wrong because it occurred when well-meaning Ijaw sons and daughters were coming to terms with what he called a conspiracy to scheme out the ethnic nationality from political relevance.

    The PDP chieftain noted that the defectors were former aides and political associates of former Governor Timipre Sylva, who is APC’s state leader.

    He said most of them were members of the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN), which he described as the renegade group used by former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, to polarise the state and work against Dickson’s re-election.

    Godspower said: “It is clear that the defectors were never with us. Most of them, in their wards, cannot even win one vote against the PDP. We know them too well. For instance, you will recall that in the just-concluded National and House of Assembly elections in the state, you saw how we defeated them.

    “Many of them sponsored candidates in other parties against the PDP; yet, they were roundly defeated. I can assure you that the defectors lack electoral value. On December 5, we will defeat them again in the governorship poll.

    “Their defection is motivated purely by greed. Soon enough, they will come begging to be readmitted into the PDP. The PDP in Bayelsa State remains the party to beat in the coming governorship election.”

  • ‘Why we’re dumping Bayelsa PDP’

    ‘Why we’re dumping Bayelsa PDP’

    Chief Dikivie Ikiogha was a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State and a close ally of former President Goodluck Jonathan. In this interview with MIKE ODIEGWU, he explains why he and other founding members dumped the party for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    WHY are you and other founding members of the Bayelsa PDP to the APC?

    The movement out of the PDP is due to several reasons. One, the way the PDP conducted itself during the preparations for the recent general elections distabilised the party. For instance, the primaries  were for the highest bidder. Two, the governors own the party. The party was practically owned by few individuals and they have the right to say this is the man that will go and they went all out, using the state’s resources to make sure that their candidate carries the day,  irrespective of what happens.

    Therefore, the issue of internal democracy is a major reason; the manner the power drunk chieftains of the party carried themselves leaves much to be desired. During the election, of course, we saw the highest level of deceit and betrayals. Many party chieftains had one leg in the APC and the other in the ruling party.

    There is a crisis in this state in particular. So, there is no trust; people don’t trust themselves; they cannot work together and up till now, political party matters are in court.  So, people don’t want to belong to where there is division.

    Considering the abysmal performance of the PDP at the national and the state levels, people don’t have lost confidence in the party, especially in Bayelsa State. They want to move on. Another thing is that people also appreciate change. The PDP has been in power for the past 16 years and in this state we have little or nothing to show for that. So, the people want change.

    What sowed the seed of discord in Bayelsa PDP? 

    It is greed and arrogance. This caused the crisis nothing else. There was no serious matter involved. It is simply greed and arrogance.

    Arrogance on whose part?

    Arrogance is one trait that made PDP to fail, even at the federal level. I know of somebody who said that once you pick the PDP ticket then you have made it and because of that some people became power drunk. When they come into position, they become power drunk; ‘without me, no other person’; arrogance, pride and then greed wanting to eat alone. These are part of the things that caused crisis in Bayelsa PDP.

    Given your relationship with the former president, it is surprising that you are leaving the PDP for another party…

    Maybe, people are getting it wrong or they are looking at it from a different perspective. Well, I do not have anything against the former President. Our relationship remains very cordial and I feel that my political destiny is not tied to anybody. It is not tied to friendship or to even my wife or my mother or my father. Here is a man that we started together. We have been able to raise him to the level of president and he has finished what he needs to do and has come back home. Must I not chart my political course?

    I need to chart a course. If because of him, I was in the PDP, because of him I couldn’t  move because he was the President and I needed to give him the support as a friend, until he was no longer there, must I continue to be blind to say even, if he is no longer there I should remain?

    The point is that I have seen a better association, a place that I feel that I can belong to exercise my political opinion and make my suggestions for the betterment of the people and to change the life of the people and I feel that the platform of APC is better for me and if I have not been able to take that decision years ago because of him, now that he is no longer there, what stops me?

    The insinuation in some quarters is that you decided to dump the PDP because you were denied ticket during the primary. Could that be the reason?

    You can hardly see what is in somebody’s heart, until he speaks. You will agree with me that, for me to go and contest House of Representatives seat will show you how passionate I am to serve the people. I stooped low to contest, considering my political experience, my age and everything you thing of. I contest the primaries to test the internal democracy in PDP and to demonstrate my readiness to serve the people. But the party didn’t allow fair play and I was denied the ticket. But denying me that ticket is rather a blessing in disguise, it has nothing to do with me. I would have gone to another political party and win the election straight but I felt I shouldn’t do it because I had a friend who was the President.

    I am still saying that I left the party because I found out that the party is full of deceit, betrayal, greed, everybody fighting for his own selfish interest, no democracy. In fact the main functions and features of political parties were being eroded in PDP and that made me to get out.

    Your explanation may sound curious because you were in the PDP for 16years.

    A decision must be taken at any time, whether 10 years to come, 10 years ago or at anytime. A decision must be taken but in this case, there was a confirmation of my leaving the PDP. They confirmed it during the presidential election result and the activities that took place. It was finally confirmed that people can collect money and go and sit down in their houses without working for the election. They didn’t go out to work for the election result, they didn’t campaign, it was obvious, so why must I still belong. A decision can be taken at anytime, it can be later, it can be before. Anytime you feel like taking a decision you take.

    The PDP has that they are not going to miss you because you don’t have electoral value.

    We are not arguing. Why are they now reacting and blackmailing people everywhere? Why are all those boys fretting. I call them boys because most of them are boys that we brought to the party. When we were forming the party they were not there. We brought them to the party. Some of them speaking are people we handpicked to make executives of the party, so they can say we are spent. When we are spent we will continue to remain. If we are spent why are they worried? If we are spent force why are they bothered? Leave us we have taken a course and we are going ahead, the future will prove us right and will prove them wrong whether we are spent or not.

    We know you to be a grassroots politician and mobiliser. What is the chance of winning the governorship election for the APC?

    Well, my prayer is that there should be free and fair elections. But, I know that even though the PDP has been on ground for 16 years, APC is sure to win the governorship election. How we would go about it, I may not be able to tell you but all what I know is that the APC will capture the day. But all that also depend on who the APC is presenting. The PDP depends also on who they present, but I am sure that the APC with a good candidate will win the election.

    Are you saying that, if PDP should field the Governor Dickson, they will lose and why do you think so?

    I have said that depending on the candidate that APC will present and also PDP but which ever way APC is going to win. Whether it’s the Governor, because incumbent is the one that is more difficult isn’t it? But we are saying whether it’s the governor or any other person, APC is going to take the day.

    The people at the other side are trying to convince Bayelsans that PDP belongs to the former president and that allowing APC to win the forthcoming elections is like dis gracing the man twice, how would convince them that it is not so?

    So that means that they have agreed that they disgraced the man? So if PDP is saying that they disgraced the man and would not allow him to be disgraced twice, then it is most unfortunate. One is that the man has been the leader of Bayelsa political party for not less than 13years or let me say 9years or so. When Alameseigha left he took over, when he became president he was also the leader of the whole country including Bayelsa.

    So he has finished his work and he has come back. He has accepted that… he even made a pronouncement that he is one the luckiest man in the world. Within 10years he became the president and he is back, we are happy that he came back healthy and fulfilled. He is now a national and international man, well recognised all over the world, they should allow the man to rest. For instance, when Obasanjo came back, Ogun state people were not happy because he didn’t develop them too well and they were not happy. Obasanjo came back and remained quiet in Ogun State. Today he is also one of the most important figures in Ogun and Nigeria. I know too well that PDP even lost election to Action Congress (ACN).

    If they do not want to drag this man (Jonathan) to be rubbished, they should keep him away, let him go and rest. So you people can write and advise him, that is the best thing. Nobody should drag him to politics now, allow him to go and rest. That is just my advice to the PDP people. I am no longer there, so whenever I speak, they will look at it from the other angle, as opposition talking for fear of the man to come in but I tell you that if they drag that man to politics now it won’t be too fine with him. He is still a friend but I will do my best to reach him to still tell him to stay away for now.

    Sir, what is your relationship with  former Governor Timipreye Sylva, who is also an APC chieftain?

    I served under Timipre Sylva for two tenures. After we left power, he moved the APC. So, for me to join him in the APC means that our relationship is cordial. We are birds of the same feather; that is why I am joining him. But, one thing is obvious, it is good for you to marry two wives. When you have one, you say that one is not good. But, after you bring in the second one, you will realise that the former one was better.

     

  • Unease in Bayelsa PDP over chairman’s suspension

    Unease in Bayelsa PDP over chairman’s suspension

    There isa cold war among the Bayelsa State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Governor Seriake Dickson and the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).

    It was learnt that the State Working Committee (SWC) was angry with the Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu-led NWC for refusing to approve the suspension of the state Chairman, Col. Sam Inokoba (retd).

    Inokoba was suspended by the SWC on February 10, before the March 28 presidential election, for alleged financial impropriety.

    The suspension order was reportedly sent to the NWC for ratification, as recommended by the party’s constitution.

    But it was learnt that the NWC refused to approve the suspension, which Inokoba’s supporters and the camp of the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, alleged was masterminded by Dickson and his loyalists.

    Irked by the development, the SWC was said to have taken the NWC to a Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja.

    PDP’s Vice Chairman for Bayelsa Central, the Secretary, the Women Leader, Vice Chairman of Bayelsa East and Financial Secretary were listed as plaintiffs in the suit.

    They were said to be challenging the refusal of the NWC to approve Inokoba’s purported suspension.

    But the SWC denied suing Mu’azu and members of the NWC.

    It said the party only sought a court order to stop Inokoba from parading himself as the party’s chairman.

    A major stakeholder of the party, who spoke in confidence, told our reporter on Monday that Inokoba’s suspension was in order.

    The stakeholder urged Inokoba to stop parading himself as the chairman.

    But a faction of the party loyal to the suspended chairman said the action of the SWC amounted to double standard.

    A member of the faction, who identified himself as Famous Mbiakpa, said the Dickson-led faction could not claim to be fighting anti-party activities when it was suing the highest echelon of the party.

    Mbiakpa said: “This is an affront to the war against anti-party activities declared by Governor Dickson and the party. No anti-party can be more grievous than a people dragging the party and its leaders to court.

    “We are, therefore, calling for the immediate expulsion of the plaintiffs’ and their sponsors from the party. Those who want to fight a crime must first purge themselves or be prepared to face sanction.

    “The governor and the party must not be selective in their fight against anti-party activities because nobody is superior to the party’s constitution.”

    It was learnt that Justice Valentine Ashi of a Federal High Court in Abuja ordered Inokoba to stop parading himself as the party’s chairman, pending the determination of the motion on notice.

  • Chairman’s suspension tears Bayelsa PDP apart

    There is a cold War between the Bayelsa State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the state Governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson and the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party.

    The Nation gathered that the State Working Committee (SWC) was angry with the Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu-led NWC for refusing to approve the suspension of the state Chairman, Col. Sam Inokoba (rtd).

    Inokoba was suspended by the SWC on February 10, before the March 28 presidential election, over allegations bordering on financial impropriety.

    Among other things, he was said to have diverted N40million out of N70million donated to the state PDP for a presidential rally by the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Allison-Madueke.

    The suspension order was reportedly sent to the NWC for ratification as recommended by the party’s constitution.

    It was, however, gathered that the NWC refused to approve the suspension which the supporters of Inokoba and the camp of the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, alleged was masterminded by the state Governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson and his loyalists.

    Irked by the development, the SWC reportedly took the NWC to a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja

    The party’s Vice-Chairman in Bayelsa Central, Secretary, Women Leader, Vice-Chairman Bayelsa East and Financial Secretary were quoted as plaintiffs in the suit No. CV/1252/15.

    They reportedly challenged the refusal of the NWC to approve a purported suspension of Inokoba.

    But the SWC denied dragging Mu’azu and members of the NWC to court, saying the party only sought a court order to stop suspended Inokoba from parading himself as the chairman of the party in the state.

     

  • Mass defection looms in Bayelsa PDP

    •Lawmaker, others defect to APC

    A member representing Yenagoa constituency 1 in the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Mr. Alfred Egba, has dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressive Congress (APC).

    Egba left PDP with a drove of his supporters and associates, including, Mr. Somne Ogoligi, a former Special Adviser on Special Duties to a former governor of the state, Chief Timipre Sylva.

    Also, a former commissioner in the State Independent Electoral Commission (BYSIEC), Chief Alfred Egba, has joined the APC.

    As previously reported by The Nation, PDP heavyweights in the state are getting set to join the APC ahead of the 2016 governorship elections.

    Apart from Egba, sources in the state House of Assembly said other lawmakers will soon declare for the APC.

    Over 10 lawmakers who lost their bids to return to the assembly having lost the PDP’s tickets were said to be warming up to reunite with Sylva in APC.

    It was further gathered that most members of the PDP’s camp loyal to the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, were getting ready to join the APC.

    A lawmaker, who spoke in confidence, said: “Many of us will soon leave the PDP. The force of PDP will soon be depleted in the state. All the people who matter in the party are getting ready to go. Just watch and see what will happen after the handover. The development will shock you.”

    It was gathered that the decision by prominent members of the PDP to move to the APC was informed by the new political profile of Sylva.

    The regrouping of Sylva’s loyalists in APC is also said to be part of the plan to begin a battle of unseating Dickson.

    Egba blamed his defection on the crisis rocking the state PDP, which he said led to two persons dragging the chairmanship of the party.

    He said the party no longer guaranteed him the needed political covering, adding that he was not comfortable in the state leadership of the party.

    “I am leaving the PDP because the party could no longer give me the needed converting. I am no longer comfortable with the protracted crisis in the state leadership of the party as seen in the controversies surrounding the emergence of a factional chairman of the party.

    “Another person still claims to be in charge of the party leadership. The party has since been hijacked and there were many occasions when I was never aware of development in my constituency.

    “I consulted with stakeholders and also sought the face of God before deciding to quit the party,” he said

  • Bayelsa PDP set to expel Paulker, others

    •Party accuses chieftains of anti-party activities

    A move by the Bayelsa State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Governor Seriake Dickson to wield the big stick against party leaders suspected to have engaged in anti-party activities started yesterday.

    It was gathered that PDP’s leadership was going after the senator representing Bayelsa Central, Emmanuel Paulker; President Goodluck Jonathan’s Special Assistant on Domestic Matters, Waripomowei Dudafa and other party bigwigs.

    They were accused of working against the collective interests of the party in the March 28 and April 11 general elections.

    It was learnt that Dickson and other party chieftains were uncomfortable with the allegations that Dudafa and Paulker sponsored candidates in other parties to contest against PDP’s in some constituencies.

    Dudafa was said to have funded the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and given the party’s tickets to aggrieved former PDP members.

    One of the candidates reportedly sponsored by him, Ebiye Tarabina, defeated the PDP candidate, Ongore Ebikeme, to win the Kolokuma-Opokuma Constituency II’s House of Assembly election.

    Indications that the governor and the party were going after the “erring members” emerged yesterday, following the inauguration of a special committee by the state government.

    Members of the committee are: Acting State PDP Chairman Serena Dokubo-Spiff, as Vice Chairman and House of Assembly Speaker Konbowei Benson.

    Others are: Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof Edmund Alison Oguru; Special Adviser on Political Matters, Chief Fyneman Wilson; Principal Executive Secretary to the Governor, Deacon Markson Fefegha and Chief of Staff, Government House, Talford Ongolo.

    Other members are chairmen of the eight local government areas, chairmen of restoration caucuses and Godspower Keku, PDP State Secretary, as Secretary.

    It was gathered that the special committee was set up to examine the performance and conduct of the PDP and its leaders during the presidential, National and State Assembly elections.

    The committee, which is chaired by Deputy Governor Gboribiogha John Jonah, was inaugurated at the Government House in Yenagoa. It has two weeks to submit an interim report to the government.

    Dickson said it was also expected to determine and recommend the steps to take against those who worked against the party’s interests during the elections.

    The governor warned of the dire consequences awaiting any PDP member who engaged in anti-party activities.

    He said there is need for discipline and loyalty to enable the party to succeed in its contests.

    Dickson said reports at his disposal indicated that some members sabotaged the party’s interest instead of supporting its flag bearers.

    He said: “We won the election, no doubt. But this party must continue to be a party of discipline and commitment. One of the problems we have in the PDP, as a matter of fact, the main reason we even lost at the Federal level, among other things, is because of indiscipline and disloyalty to party. Party interest supersedes individual’s interest and agenda.”

    “Regrettably, we have received reports that some leaders of our party, in some cases, did not only work against the interest of our candidates, but actually sponsored and worked to undermine the success of our party and our candidates at the just-concluded elections.

    “We will not allow people promoting indiscipline and disloyalty to overrun our party. The PDP has to reform itself; it has to renew itself and be a party of committed and loyal members. Without discipline and loyalty, no party can survive or stand or even win any political contest.”