Bayelsa gov: Senator dumps PDP for APC, says Dickson ‘ll fail

One of the governorship aspirants for Bayelsa state, Senator Nimi Barigha-Amange, Wednesday formally notified the National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) that he has resigned his membership from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and joined the APC.

Senator Barigha-Amange had earlier sought the ticket of the PDP for the November 16 governorship election but lost out to Senator Douye Diri, who had the backing of the incumbent governor, Seriake Henry Dickson.

The senator, who was one of the founding members of the PDP, had represented Bayelsa East senatorial district between 2007 and 2011 on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Barigha-Amange submitted a letter acknowledged by the APC chairman in Ward II, Nembe local government area to the APC NWC in Abuja which was received by the Acting National Secretary, Victor Giadom, saying he dumped the PDP because of the ‘authoritarian’ attitude of the incumbent governor.

“When I was in PDP, we were enslaved by only one man who regarded himself as emperor. There were no political activities there even if you want to be a councillor. The 105 councillors were nominated by him. The eight chairmen were nominated by him, so, I cannot be part of that.

“I was one of the founding fathers of the PDP on Bayelsa state. I did not join the PDP. I took part on the formation of the PDP here in August 1998 and I have been there since. But I have never seen this kind of authoritarian rule. So, I have decided to pitch my tent with a party that can uproot this bottom from the ground, so that, Bayelsans will be freed, and I promise you, Bayelsans will be freed come November 16, 2019,” he said.

Further, the former lawmaker insisted that out of eight local government areas, the APC has taken 3 LGs while PDP is holding on to 2 LGs and the remaining 3 will be divided equally.

He said, “Today, I can tell you that the candidate of the APC, David Lyon, comes from Southern Ijaw LG. That is the local government with the highest voting strength. Definitely, that local government is for APC. I come from Nembe LG and by my joining APC, Nembe has fallen into the hands of APC. 

“Brass is where Timipre Sylva comes from and Brass normally is for the APC. And I also assisted APC in winning my own senatorial district in the last election. I also assisted APC in winning House of Representatives seat during February election.

“So, those three LGs are gone and we can give Kolokuma/Opokuma, the smallest LG to PDP because their candidate is from there. Then, the Sagbama local government area, where the present governor comes from, will be donated to the present governor because his running mate is from Sagbama LG.

“Where the governor comes from, is where he picks running for the PDP candidate. The question is, what will other LGs do? We can still donate that to him, so, we are taking three, they are taking two. The remaining LGs are 50/50.”

While welcoming the defector, the acting National Secretary, Victor Gideom, urged to be focused and join hands with the party to defeat the PDP in the coming governorship election in Bayelsa.

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