Defection Rocks Beyasal PDP, Thousands Move To APC

By: Ariwera Ibibo – Howells, Yenagoa

No fewer than 4000 members of the Bayelsa state chapter of the People Democratic Party (PDP), Friday defected to the All Progressive Congress (APC), in Yenagoa the state capital.

Receiving the defectors, former Governor of Bayelsa and leader of the party, Chief Timipre Sylva commended them for leaving their former party, stressing that the reasons for their defection to the APC are clear.

The former Governor emphasized that while over a trillion naira has accrued to the state coffers during the past six years, the Governor Seriake Dickson’s administration does not have proof of how the accruals were expended, describing the PDP administration as wasted effort.

According to the state APC leader, no right thinking Bayelsa would remain stuck to the PDP, maintaining that upon the large sums of allocation and other revenues the Dickson’s Government has received the people of the state are still suffering and are made to go through unmerited hardship.

Sylva stated that all the defectors would be given their rightful places in the APC, harping that Bayelsans are weary of inhuman administration.
In his opening remarks, Chairman, Bayelsa state chapter of the APC, Hon. Jothan Amos, Esq commended former Governor Sylva for his sterling leadership qualities and show of solidarity.

Hon. Jothan said the former Governor and leader of the state APC is a symbol of unity and progress, he reemphasized that through thick and thin he has stood solidly behind the party at all levels, reassuring that the defectors would be given a level playing ground just as every other member of the party.

Also speaking chairman of the event planning committee and former Bayelsa state commissioner for youth development, Hon. Barakumo Otobo eulogized the defectors for pitching tents with the APC, saying the party is unlike other political parties, but a movement for change and development of Bayelsa and Nigeria in general.

Otobo promised that all the defectors and indeed every other future defector to the party would be accorded equal opportunities, stressing that Bayelsans have come to appreciate the good policies and programmes of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s led APC administration.

Among the defectors were Major (Chief) Digifa Paris (rtd) from southern Ijaw Local Government Area and miss Shine Izuan from Ogbia LGA and a host