- By News Editor
As the political atmosphere in Bayelsa hits up ahead of its Guber election slated for 11th November 2023, a massive exodus that can best be described as a political tsunami has rocked the Bayelsa State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) as Critical stakeholders of the party and multitude of their supporters from Ogbia local government area under the auspices of Ogbia Development Agenda (ODA) defected to the All Progressive Congress (APC).
The decampees who were mostly aides and appointees of the Bayelsa State Governor Sen. Douye Diri defected to the All Progressive Congress (APC)on Thursday and were received by the National leadership of the APC at the State Secretariat in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State Capital.
The colourful ceremony which was well coordinated had in attendance members of the National Working Committee of the APC, State Excos as well as multitude of the Party Supporters at the state Party Secretariat in Yenagoa
Chief (Hon) Saviour Ibegi, the Chairman and co-convener of the Ogbia Development Agenda who spoke on behalf of the decampees sighted their reasons for leaving the PDP as a deliberate reaction against the current neglect of Ogbia people and its development by the PDP led Prosperity administration.
Chief Ibegi explained that since the inception of the outgoing Prosperity administration in 2019 till date, no impactful programme or project from state government can be seen in or around Ogbia LGA, describing the scenario as the worst form of neglect in the history of Ogbia land. He said Gov. Douye Diri’s Prosperity Agenda is a complete lip service to the people of Ogbia which can best be likened to the present day Yahoo-Yahoo. Also, the leadership of Ogbia Development Agenda accused Douye Diri of abandoning Ogbia people after working for him in the last gubernatorial election in the state.
Chief (Hon.) Ibegi, a former commissioner in Bayelsa State hinted further that the APC candidate Chief Timipre Sylva has done more good for Ogbia people than any living being on earth, as he has groomed and raised billionaires in Ogbia.
In his words: “Our defection today is an expression of gratitude to Chief Sylva and the APC led Federal Government for the appointment of our son, Chief Samuel Ogbuku as MD/CEO of the NDDC, again, our movement to the APC today is a call for service by the Ogbia people as it is a direct protest against the underdevelopment and undermining of our people and area by Douye Diri’s led government. In view of the above, the Ogbia Development Agenda whose primary aim and objective is to vigorously advocate for the betterment and development of ogbia kingdom and its people has today aligned with the All Progressive Congress (APC) and its candidate Chief Timipre Sylva who has a clearly mapped out developmental agenda for Ogbia and its people”, he said.
Furthermore, he noted that the only candidate and political party that has the Ogbia interest at heart is HE Timipre Sylva and the All Progressive Congress (APC). Today, an Ogbia son is the MD/CEO of the NDDC and he’s making Ogbia people, Bayelsa State and indeed Ijaw proud, so we must accord him and his party the necessary support saying that Chief Samuel Ogbuku Ph.D is a leading light that is illuminating the partway to our greatness, if not of him where is the place of Ogbia’s development? we will support him, Chief Timipre Sylva and the APC to victory come 11th November, 2023 gubernatorial election in the state. Stressing that the All Progressive Congress (APC) and Chief Timipre Sylva love for the development of Ogbia and its people is practically enough for all to see and the best we can do as a people is to reciprocate by supporting Sylva.
The decampees include, Chief (Hon.) Saviour Ibegi, A former Commissioner to the state government, Chief Sunday Omekwe Ph.D, a former Special Adviser to the State Government, Chief Olalibo Ibokolo Osain, a former Governor’s Representative Ogbia LGA, , Hon. Damson Okaniba, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Special Duties, Dr. Mercy Dan, others.
