Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
There is a major crack in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State ahead of the 2019 general elections, as stakeholders of the party under the auspices of the Ogbia PDP Renaissance (OPR), have accused some leaders of Ogbia Local Government Area of working against the party.
Those fingered in the anti-party activities are all loyalists of former President Goodluck Jonathan and their grouse has been linked to the outcome of the national and state House of Assembly elections in Bayelsa East Senatorial district.
The Chairman of the group, Obhioru Mitanoni, in a statement yesterday fingered those behind the anti-party activities to include, King Amatele Jonny-Turner, Hon Mietama Obordor, George Turner and Bayelsa State Chairman of the State Environmental Sanitation, Chief Robert Enogha.
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He explained that following failures of their preferred aspirants to emerge victorious in the just-concluded PDP primaries, the Jonathan loyalists allegedly purchased nomination forms and are sponsoring candidates in other political parties.
He claimed that Turner, who lost in his bid to clinch the PDP ticket for Ogbia Federal Constituency was backing one Cleric Awudum for the Ogbia Constituency 2 seat in the State Assembly.
The statement reads: “We are raising this alarm because of the emerging political development in Ogbia kingdom, which is very disturbing. We want everyone to know that some people who call themselves leaders are working against our collective interest as a party.
“We want our people to know that the likes of King A.J Turner, Hon. Mieteme Obodo, Chief Robert Enogha Ayalla and Barr. George Turnah are all guilty of anti-party activities. These men bought forms for those who lost the PDP primaries to go to other parties to contest against our candidates.”
Mitanoni urged Jonathan to call to order some of the leaders, who are his known allies, adding that the ex-president should not be seen to be promoting political divisions in Ogbia.
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He said the group decided to make a public statement and put the leadership of the party on notice to prevail on leaders to retrace their steps. He further described the leaders as disgruntled and blamed them for the gross underdevelopment of Ogbia.
George Turner promised to call back when Saturday Sun called him to get his reaction. But he never did as of the time of going to press.