- Dep governor eyes Diri’s seat on ADC platform
Bayelsa State Deputy Governor Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo and Senator Seriake Dickson are on their way out of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), it was learnt yesterday.
The pending exit of former Governor Dickson and his political godson Ewhrudjakpo is due to uncertainty in the leadership of the opposition party, it was also learnt.
While Dickson has been very antagonistic to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the Senate, Ewhrudjakpo declined to follow his principal Governor Duoye Diri, who defected to the APC on November 3.
Both men are believed to have opened talks with African Democratic Congress (ADC) as their next platform for Dickson to return to Senate and Ewhrudjakpo to contest for governor.
As Dickson was rounding off his second term, he had sponsored Ewhrudjakpo for Senate. Later, he influenced his selection as Diri’s running mate. After his election as deputy governor, he later vacated the Senate, thereby creating a vacancy which Dickson filled after a by-election.
Although Dickson had advised Diri against defection, he rejected the advice.
The deputy governor has sought a court order to prevent the Assembly from impeaching him over his refusal to join the APC.
The case is pending before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Addressing the State Executive Council meeting at the Government House, Yenagoa, Diri cleared the air on the impeachment saga, saying that he would not compel Ewhrudjakpo to join the APC.
The governor promised to engage with the deputy governor instead of resorting into confrontation.
On the speculation of Dickson and Ewhrudjakpo planning defection, a source in the Governor’s office said there is an iota of truth in that.
He said the speculation is rife because Dickson has some links with the ADC, adding that he had allegedly influenced appointments of some politicians in the state.
The source, who did not want his name mentioned because of the sensitivity of the issue, said: ‘There is an atom of truth in the speculation that Ewhrudjakpo may join the African Democratic Congress (ADC). This is because his principal, Senator Seriake Dickson, former governor of Bayelsa, has some links with the ADC.
“It is alleged that Dickson recommended some former chieftains of the PDP, including a former council chairman, to become ADC executive members.”
The source said he had no reason to doubt that Dickson would join the ADC along with his alter ego, the deputy governor, who was Works Commissioner during his tenure as governor.
He, however, said the ADC cannot win one local government area in the state because it has not been accepted.
An associate of Diri said: “Well, every politician would like to move forward and they must stand on a platform.
“But the way the PDP is going, the man will eventually leave the party. I believe he may likely join the governor in the APC. For me, ADC is not an option. As a politician who works with the governor, anybody going to the ADC is on his own.”
However, he said Dickson could go to the ADC because the hope of going for third term as senator in the PDP is dicey.
The source, who also craved anonymity, said: “The only option for Dickson is to either remain in the PDP or go to any other party, which is likely to be the ADC.
“And of course, you know Dickson has the capacity to deliver himself. In his senatorial district. He has massive structure to deliver himself but he can’t determine for some of us in other districts. That is why ADC is not an option for most Bayelsa politicians.
“Still, the former governor can go there because he has what it takes to deliver himself —structures, money and connections etc.”
However, a media aide to the deputy governor, Doubara Otasi, said he was not in the know of his principal’s next line of action.
