Jonathan’s Close Ally, PDP Members Decamp To APC In Bayelsa

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, Politics Saturday, June 20th, 2015

*Defection Motivated By Greed –Bayelsa Governor

By Ayo Balogun – A close ally of former President Goodluck Jonathan, Mr. Diekivie Ikiogha and other PDP members have decamped to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa state.

Ikiogha, a founding member of the PDP in Bayelsa state defected to the APC alongside about 43 non-governmental organisations, at a colorful ceremony at Kpansia open field, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

Prominent members of the Bayelsa PDP that decamped with him are Mr. Paul Ajuwa, Mrs. D. Irene, Mr. Victor Awala, Mr. Prince Abeki, as well as about 150 former councilors.

Mr Ikiogha was a former Bayelsa State Chief of Staff, and also a close ally of Governor Seriake Dickson.

Addressing his supporters, Ikiogha said he quit PDP because “there is lack of internal democracy and it is a party where the highest bidders always have their way.”

Meanwhile, Bayelsa state governor Seriake Dickson, through his Chief Press Secretary (CPS) Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson berated the defectors saying their moves were motivated by selfish interest and greed.

“Their selfish conception of politics and attitude in government are what had retarded development in the state since the era of the late statesman, Chief MelfordOkilo.

“As a democrat, Governor Seriake Dickson believes that the proponents of the Bayelsa People’s Consultative Assembly have the inalienable right to association but also conscious of the moral baggage of such tendency and indeed the motif. What is their objective in politics? Obviously this is an opportunistic lobby group desperately in search of power without any modicum of integrity.

“They should be reminded that contrary to their assertions, they actually constitute the problem of development in the state and not Governor Seriake Dickson. What is playing out is an offshoot of the governor’s long running battle with this class of politicians on the proper utilization of state resources to serve the people and never to serve the greed of the few.” the statement stated.