Acting Bayelsa State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), David Dokubo Spiff, has dismissed the purported frosty relationship between former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, and the Bayelsa Governor, Seriake Dickson, in the run-up to the December 5, 2015 governorship election in the state. He equally dismisses the recent defection of some PDP chieftains in the state to the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing the development as a non-issue, in this interview with Assistant Editor (South South), JOE EZUMA
There has been this fear among PDP faithful in Bayelsa and even in Rivers that the current regime of defection by PDP to the opposition APC in the state could mar its return to power in the December 2015 election. What is your response to this development?
Not at all! It (defection) rather makes us stronger. The PDP Bayelsa State is as solid as a rock. All those people who recently defected are people who were with us but were not for us. Listen, to my choice of words. They were with us because technically, they were PDP chieftains and members, but they were not for us. They were working against the party. That caused us anxiety, but regardless, we are able to surmount all the huddles as was reflected in the last election where we came out with resounding Success.
In that election, we cleared all the three senatorial seats in Bayelsa, won the Five House of Representatives seats and won 21 out of the 23 State Assembly seats. That was an exceptional performance. As a matter of fact, in the coming December 5. 2015 election, we will do even better.
PDP Bayelsa is on the ground in the state. PDP government in Bayelsa is doing exceptionally well. Dickson’s administration has spread network of roads in the state. There have been massive construction of roads and rehabilitation works on schools and other infrastructural development endeavours which bear testimony to this fact. So the PDP has no problem. There may be few irritants here and there, but that is nothing to worry about. We are stronger than even before. That is the position.
What about the alleged frosty relationship between the former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, and Governor Seriake Dickson which people fear may affect the governor’s second term bid and also the overall fortune of the PDP in the election?
There is absolutely nothing like that. The wife of the former President Goodluck Jonathan is in line and agreement with what the PDP is doing in this state.
She is supportive of the PDP in the state. Now, let me make this very clear. Despite that Dickson has performed creditably and exceptionally, PDP as I have said severally, is an organisation that is governed by the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Constitution of the party itself which make provision on how to select the flag-bearer. That process will be put in place and a decision would be taken by grassroots participants of the party. So, despite the fact that Dickson has done well, the process for selection of flag-bearer will be subject to the principles of democracy and popular participation. All interested parties would be provided a level-playing field.
We are not going to favour anybody against another. So, if you are a member of the PDP in Bayelsa and you want to run for governorship, we will encourage you to pick the form. We will subject you to a transparent process, then you be our flag-bearer, if you win. That is all I can say on that, for now.
There have been reactions from some sections of the country, especially the South South and the South East, over what has been seen as skewed appointment in favour of the North by President Muhammadu Buhari. What is your view on the development?
The PDP is a well-organised party, which is nurturing the culture of internal democracy and due process. We have our National Publicity Secretary. And so adequate reaction is being put together and you will hear from that body. But for us in Bayelsa now, all hands are on the deck towards the December governorship election. We are all focused on that and are making our preparations.