The Bayelsa state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has
alleged that Governor Seriake Dickson’s recent visit to the presidential
villa, Aso Rock, was to beg President Muhammadu Buhari to join the
APC.
Despite recent political disagreements, Governor Dickson is known as a core loyalist of former president, Goodluck Jonathan
The
party’s allegation was made through the Sylva-Igiri Campaign
Organisation (SICO), in a statement signed by its Director, Media and
Publicity, Chief Nathan Egba.
Egba who said the governor was at
the seat of power without invitation, further said Dickson who sought to
seek audience with Buhari, was also denied access to meet with the
Chief of Staff to the federal government, Alhaji Abba Kyari.
He
said: “Our sources confirmed to us that Governor Dickson went to beg
the presidency to forgive him over his derogatory and inflammatory
statements during the election and to prevail on the APC candidate,
Chief Timipre Sylva, to soft pedal in Southern Ijaw LGA to enable him
win the forthcoming rerun election in the area.
“In return for
that favour, the governor proposed to forment an artificial crisis in
the PDP at the national level and use that as a basis to decamp from his
party to the ruling APC. His argument was that he recognised the fact
that Bayelsa state cannot afford to remain in opposition to the ruling
party.
“We know of a fact that this would be the second time
Governor Seriake Dickson would be seeking to dump the PDP for the APC in
the course of elections in thes.
“The first time was in the heat
of the National Assembly primaries of early last year when he sought to
replace all serving National Assembly members from the State with his
cronies against the wishes of former President Goodluck Jonathan, who
wanted the performing ones to be returned.
“On that occasion, he
openly threatened both the former President and the PDP hierarchy of his
readiness to decamp to the APC and using his past relationship with
the APC National Leader, Sen. Bola Tinubu to secure tickets for his
preferred candidates, as well as himself to defeat the PDP at the polls.
“Of
course he got his way in that election with Dr. Jonathan despite
sponsored verbal and media attacks against the former First Lady, Dame
Patience.
“But unfortunately for Mr. Dickson, the APC unlike his
party, the PDP, will not fall for such cheap antics and the officials he
met with, clearly told him there was no deal. He therefore, had to
return home deflated and empty handed.”
But in a swift reaction
to Egba’s claims, the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party
(PDP) in a statement signed by the Director, Restoration Campaign
Organisation (RCO), Jonathan Obuebite, denied the allegation.
He
said: “Governor Dickson has no reason to defect to the APC in order to
win an election that had ahead been won. We call on APC to accept the
fact that they had lost this election. They have not only lost, they
have also been roundly rejected by the people. No amount of propaganda,
lies and deceit can change the outcome of an election that had already
been won by the PDP.”
Recall that the Bayelsa state governorship
election was held on Saturday, December 5, but that of the Southern Ijaw
region was nullified by the Independent National Electoral Commission
(INEC) and the election was declared inconclusive.
INEC said the
election was nullified due to violence, abduction of electoral officials
and ballot box snatching in the area. Results already announced
indicates that Governor Dickson is leading in the poll.
However, both Dickson and Sylva have been asking to be declared winner of the election by INEC.
https://www.naij.com/684212-bayelsa-governor-seriake-dickson-moves-join-apc.html
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