Four chieftains of the major opposition party in the state, the All Progressive Congress, APC, from Ogbia council area, have dumped their party for the Peoples Democratic Party.
The chieftains include a former Ogbia LGA Chairman, Hon. Pius Otia, Hon. Chief Life Johnson Abhiruemara, Chief Whiteley Aduba, and Captain Ephraim Ododo.
At a brief event held at the party secretariat in Yenagoa on Friday, Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Matters, High Chief Collins Cocodia, and Chairman of the PDP, Chief Solomon Agwanana, who was represented by the party’s scribe, Hon. Gesiye Isowo, welcomed them into the umbrella party, and charged them to show capacity, in bringing others to join the PDP.
Hon. Pius Otia, and Hon. Chief Life Johnson, who spoke on behalf of others, expressed their joy in returning to their ‘father’s house’, and pledged their loyalty to the Governor, Senator Douye Diri, as well as the party, while promising to ensure the PDP remains the party to beat in the state.
The duo equally commended the Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Matters, High Chief Collins Cocodia, and the state working committee of the PDP, for the warm reception back to the party.
The brief event was followed by a mega rally organised by a political organisation, ‘The New Order’, held at Emeyal community, Ogbia Council Area, where scores of the All Progressive Congress, dumped their brooms for the umbrella, citing lack of unity, empty promises, lack of coordination, among other irregularities within the APC in Bayelsa, as their major reason for returning to the PDP.
Some of the speakers who were also from the Social Democratic Party, SDP, among other political parties, expressed their regret for initially leaving the PDP, stressing that they are returning with their undiluted and total support and commitment to the PDP, and also to contribute their quota in ensuring the ruling party wax even stronger, especially, in the whole of Ogbia council area.
In his remark, the S.A Political, assured the returnees and the people of Ogbia, of the dividends and benefits of the prosperity administration, adding that aside the ongoing construction of the Elebele bridge, more projects will be sited.
High Chief Cocodia noted that the miracle Governor, Senator Douye Diri, who is the leader of the party in the state, was elated with their return, urging them to be active members of the PDP, and make sure the party is formidable in the Council.
Also speaking, Member Representing Ogbia Federal Constituency at the Green Chamber, Hon. Azibapu Fred Obua, who witnessed the defection of his kinsmen to the PDP, urged them to imbibe the spirit of togetherness, as they work to strengthen the party in their area.
Highlight of the rally was the burning of brooms by the returnees, in the presence of members of the State Working Committee of the PDP, and other dignitaries, elders and chiefs of the community.