By Joe Ezuma
Asstistant Editor, South South
Intriguing scenarios and uncertain twists are unfolding in Bayelsa in the swings and shifts in the positions and ideologies of political parties and politicians in the run up to the governorship vote on December 5.
Over 2,000 members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have just defected to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Since the PDP lost the presidential election in March, there had been a steady defection of its members to the APC, leaving political watchers wondering whether the former President Goodluck Jonathan received in his home state was real.
The development had strengthened the resolve of the APC to wrestle power from the PDP in Yenagoa, and also bolstered the loyalists of former Governor Timpre Sylva, APC governorship candidate, with confidence and hope of victory.
However, the chances of Governor Seriake Dickson winning re-election became brighter with the new defections to the PDP, led by Senator John Brambaifa and Alex Ekiotene, who returned to the fold.
The returnees, who came under the Forum of Authentic APC Delegates, said their members were deceived into joining the APC but later discovered that they had taken a wrong decision, especially with what happened at the party’s governorship primary.
Members of the group are staunch supporters of another APC governorship aspirant, Timi Alaibe, who was persuaded to step down for Sylva.
State PDP Chairman, Amos Soko, said in his welcome address that the choice of Sylva as APC governorship candidate was the last straw that broke the camel’s back.
He described as a charade the APC primary which led to the emergence of Sylva.
Soko recalled that “what was supposed to be a peaceful, credible, free and fair party primary was turned into a blood bath.
“[Edo State] Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, true to type, rejected the charade and sham that was styled as a party primary and so the first exercise was nullified.
“For the second and last exercise, which took place on August 29, 2015, the leading aspirant, Timi Alaibe, was asked by the authorities from above to step down for their anointed candidate.
“It was indeed a sad and sorrowful day for the over 2,000 delegates, who had signed up to pick Timi Alaibe as the candidate of the APC.
“Since that day it has been mourning all the way as if the creator of Bayelsa State died that day.
“We must salute the wisdom of Alaibe for refusing to be part of a possible bloodbath in the second exercise had he instructed us to proceed to the venue and as he said finally while addressing the mammoth crowd of delegates at Opokuma.
“I quote, ‘My children are not here, so why should I be part of a process that will inexonerably lead to the loss of lives of young Bayelsans?’”
Receiving the returnees, PDP National Vice Chairman (South South), Cairo Ojuogbo, directed that they should be re-admitted and revert to their former positions.
He said the PDP is the only party with democratic values and will not concede defeat to any party because the South South remains its stronghold.
He urged the judiciary and Independent National Electoral Commission to be fair in carrying out their constitutional responsibilities, saying it is on record that the two bodies performed “creditably well” under the PDP leadership at the national level.
