From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
The governorship ambition of the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Timipre Sylva received a huge boost over the weekend as key chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa state, including the party’s Youth Leader, Nunieh Odede, have dumped the party’s governorship candidate and the state Governor, Douye Diri, to join the APC.
Nunieh in a handwritten letter on Monday announced his resignation from the PDP while other principal aides of the governor vacated their offices to campaign for Sylva.
A statement signed on Monday by Sylva’s Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Julius Bokoru, confirmed that Nunieh met with the APC candidate.
Nunieh in a meeting with Sylva his decision and others to leave the PDP was hinged on the need to change the development trajectory of the Epie-Atissa people.
“We have spent years with the PDP and we built the party to where it is. It is imperative we move on now in light of what is happening in the state.
“Bayelsa is in a comatose state and we cannot keep doing the old things and expect to get it right. Our resignation from the PDP, honestly, is to save our dear state from further ruin.”
Sylva was quoted to have commended the courage of Nunieh and other defectors, who chose the progress and development of the state over selfish gains.
“Youths are always the driving force of every society, youths also embody and give a trajectory of what the future would look like.
“Your decisions today are heroic and selfless, you have placed state over self and beyond even the elections you instil in us all that Bayelsa state is bound to do well,” Sylva said.
The statement listed those that left the Diri’s government for Sylva as Abiah Joseph Oyisor, Director Bayelsa State Environmental Authority; Hon Ayaye Obuma, Governor’s Representative, Yenagoa Local Government Area, Hon. Itu Goodluck, Special Adviser, Special Duties to the Governor; Hon. Timipa Ile, Special Adviser, Special Duties to the Governor and Hon. Olali Suwofien, Special Adviser Special Duties.
The statement said after their resignation from the PDP and endorsement of APC and Chief Sylva, the defectors would be received in a formal endorsement ceremony with thousands of their supporters.