Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt
Leading the defectors is Chief Timi Alaibe, a former Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission and pioneer ex-Special Adviser to the late President Umaru Yar’Adua on the Amnesty Programme.
Another big wig crossing to the APC is Chief Alex Ekiotenne, a former Honorary Adviser to Governor Seriake Dickson.
Former deputy Governors;Nestor Binabo, Werinipre Seibarugu; and Peremobowei Ebebi; Senators John Brambaifa, Clever Ikisipo and Heineken Lokpobiri, Ambassador Emmanuel Otiotio, a former House of Representatives member, Dr. Stella Dorgu; a former NDDC chairman, Prof. Tarila Tebepah; Rear Admiral FBI Porbeni (retd.); former members of the House of Representatives – Christopher Enai, Warman Ogoriba, Bonus Indiamaowei, Nelson Belief, Nadu Karibo; former Secretary to the State Government, Chief Gideon Ekeowe; and former Deputy Speaker, Fini Angaye are all leaving the PDP.
According to sources, Vice-President, Yemi Osinbajo and the National Chairman of APC,John Odigie-Oyegun, the National Executive Committee members of the APC are set to warmly receive the defectors on 15 August.
The defection of prominent politicians in the state with their large followership may serve as a death knell for the party that produced former President Goodluck Jonathan in his home state.
Jonathan looks cornered as his party is unarguably in tatters.The allegation is that Mrs. Patience Jonathan, the wife of the former President is at loggerheads politically with Governor Seriake Dickson.
The former first Lady is alleged to have vowed to work against the re-election of Dickson for some irreconcilable differences even if it means using the ‘enemy’ territory as launch-pad.
It is learnt that Timi Alaibe has not given up his ambition to be the governor of Bayelsa state;an ambition he may not realize remaining in PDP.
Former Governor Timipre Sylva,the party’s rallying point also nurses a come-back ambition.
Meanwhile,the Ijaw Peoples Assembly, has called on the national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) not to dissipate energy and resources on the December 5 governorship election the State because the incumbent governor, Seriake Dickson, will win the election.
Already, plans are on to convene a stakeholders meeting of all Ijaw in Yenagoa to unanimously endorse the candidacy of the governor for the December 5 election.
A statement issued on Sunday by the spokesperson of IPP, Tom Kombowei Daniels,made available to our Correspondent, said that with the backing of prominent Ijaw leaders and key stakeholders who have unanimously endorsed the governor for a second term, the chances of the opposition were minimal.
According to him, having regard to his performance record in the last three years, Dickson deserves to be reelected.