Nathan Tamarapreye, Yenagoa
Prominent members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa including the party’s Youth Leader, Nunieh Odede, have dumped the party.
The switched allegiance from PDP’s governorship candidate and the state Gov Douye Diri, for the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Timipre Sylva.
In a handwritten letter sighted on Monday in Yenagoa, Odede announced his resignation from the PDP while other principal aides of the governor vacated their offices to campaign for Sylva.
A statement signed on Monday by Sylva’s Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Julius Bokoru, confirmed that Odede met with the APC candidate.
Bokoru quoted Odede as saying at the meeting : “We have spent years with the PDP and we built the party to where it is. It is imperative we move on now in light of what is happening in the state.
“Bayelsa is in a comatose state and we cannot keep doing the old things and expect to get it right. Our resignation from the PDP, honestly, is to save our dear state from further ruin”.
The statement quoted Sylva as saying that as commending the courage of Nunieh and other defectors, who chose the progress and development of the state over selfish gains.
Sylva said: “Youths are always the driving force of every society, youths also embodies and gives a trajectory of what the future would look like.
“Your decisions today is heroic and selfless, you have placed state over self and beyond even the elections you instil in us all that Bayelsa state is bound to do well”.
The statement listed those who abandoned Diri for Sylva as Abiah Joseph Oyisor, Director Bayelsa State Evironmental Authority; Hon.Ayaye Obuma, Governor’s Representative, Yenegoa LGA.
Others are Hon. Itu Goodluck, Special Adviser, Special Duties to the Governor; Hon. Timipa Ile, Special Adviser, Special Duties to the Governor and Hon. Olali Suwofien, Special Adviser Special Duties.
The statement said after their resignation from the PDP and endorsement of APC and Sylva, they would be received in a formal endorsement ceremony with thousands of their supporters.
It said the defections has further diminiahed Diri’s chance of winning Yenagoa, the capital city, especially the Epie/Atissa kingdoms where Sylva is making significant inroads.
The statement also confirmed that recently the Deputy Governorship candidate of the APC Joshua Maciver received thousands of defectors from Sagbama LGA and the home of the imcumbent Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State.
Reacting to the development, the Bayelsa chapter of the PDP hurriedly at an executive meeting in Yenagoa expelled Odede for alleged anti-party activities.
The PDP chairman in Bayelsa, Mr Solomon Agwanana announced Odede’s expulsion in a statement issued on Wednesday in Yenagoa.