Sen. Amange’s Defection to APC: Bayelsa PDP disowns former PDP Senator

The Bayelsa Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says the former PDP Senator who represented Bayelsa East Senatorial District Sen. Nimi Amange is not in the party’s fold.

Amange, was a PDP Senator from 2007 to 2011 and represented Ex-President Jonathan’s constituency.

Moses Cleopas, PDP Chairman in Bayelsa said in a statement reacting to Amage’s defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) that Amange did not defect from the PDP to the APC

Cleopas explained that Amange ceased to be a member of the PDP shortly before the February 23, 2019 National Assembly Assembly elections when he defected from the PDP to join the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

 
Amange had on Thursday claimed that he left the PDP  because of Gov. Seriake Dickson’s unilateral style of leadership which he likened to an emperor..

However, Cleopas in defence of Dickson described Amange’s stance as unfortunate mischievous attempt to create the false Impression of an implosion within a party that is stable.

According to Cleopas the PDP family in Bayelsa was not aware of Amange as a member of the party after having defected into the ADC early this year.

“There is a misleading report that Amange has defected from the PDP to the APC.

“The fact is that Amange is not a member of our party. He defected from the PDP to the ADC, to contest against us in the February 16, 2019 National Assembly election and lost.

“Sen. Amange is not a PDP leader and the public should discountenance this misleading claim. This unfortunate claim is part of a calculated attempt to create an erroneous impression of an implosion in a party that is stable.

“The PDP in the state knows those who are genuine members. Amange is not one of us and he should desist from misinforming the public with the intent to cause mischief,” the statement read in part.

 Amange had in a letter to the APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole on Wednesday availed to newsmen said he had resigned his membership from his former party to pitch his tent with the APC ahead the Nov 16 guber poll.

He former PDP Senator said he was moving with members of his political family, all members of Destiny Movement and SIG Elite Foundation of Nembe and Brass local government areas.

“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.

“I was one of the founding fathers of PDP in Bayelsa State. I did not join the PDP, I took part in the formation of 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.

On the chances of the ruling PDP in the state and the opposition APC, Amange said that the odds favour APC to clinch the governorship slot.

“APC Candidate, David Lyon, hails from Southern Ijaw LGA, with highest voting strength will vote  APC. I come from Nembe LG and by my joining APC, Nembe has fallen into the hands of APC.

“Brass LGA is Chief Timipre Sylva’s area and therefore an APC stronghold.

“Do not forget that I also assisted APC in winning the Bayelsa East 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 LGA.

“The question is, what will other LGAs do?, so, we are taking three, they are taking two. The remaining three LGAs is 50/50.” Amange said.