Bayelsa Guber: PDP group kicks against endorsement of aspirants by Gov Dickson

A political group within Bayelsa chapter of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Forward Action Bayelsa (FAB), on Monday said it would resist imposition of aspirants ahead Nov 16 governorship polls.

The Yenagoa based group described the attempts by Gov Seriake Dickson to foist a candidate on the PDP in the forthcoming Governorship election as a big joke taken too far.

The Restoration Caucus of the PDP, led by Dickson, had named only three persons as members of the caucus that had indicated interest to pick the governorship forms.

They are the Senator representing the Bayelsa Central Senatorial District, Senator Douye Diri ,Chief of Staff, Government House, Talford Ongolo, and Secretary to the State Government Mr Kemela Okara.

However, other members of the Restoration Caucus including, Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral John Jonah (Rtd) amongst others have picked the PDP expersiion of interest forms too.

It will be recalled that Jonah had while collecting the form at PDP National headquarters on Thursday dismissed the endorsement of three candidates and maintained that the race was open to other members of the Restoration Caucus.

In a statement signed by the Convener of, Elder James Ikpi, the group described the three aspirants as unpopular and that they would not be able to win election for the PDP.

The group advised the Governor to carry verify the election value of the three persons and that PDP must not jeopardize its strength by this unpopular decision.

"We want to strongly warn and advise against this move to unilaterally foist a candidate on PDP. Mr. Governor may need to feel the pulse of the people.

“He must be sensitive to the ongoing reaction against these three persons. The PDP may be undoing itself and strengthen opposition parties in the election. The PDP ticket is not for one person to decide. PDP must thread with caution". FAB stated.

The FAB therefore, encouraged more interested and qualified Bayelsa people to enter the race under the PDP in a move to allow free and fair primaries that will produce the most acceptable candidate for the Nov 16 election.