BAYELSA 2012: PDP MOVES AGAINST SYLVA

By NBF News
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The plot to stop  incumbent Governor of Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva, from picking the party governorship ticket ahead of the November 19 governorship primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)  may have got the blessing of the national leadership of the party, Daily Sun can authoritatively reveal.

Daily Sun findings revealed that the party's national secretariat had perfected plans to remove the loyalist of the beleaguered governor and Acting Chairman of the state chapter of the party, Chief Darius Obieme, before the commencement of the Ward Congress on November 14 where the ad-hoc delegates would be elected.

Daily Sun source revealed that the PDP Acting National Secretary, Dr. Musa Babayo, last week wrote to the National Vice Chairman (South-south) of the party, Chief Mkpubre Okon, instructing  the latter to call for a meeting of the Bayelsa  State Executive Council, with the agenda to appoint a substantive  chairman for the state chapter of the party.

Chief Obieme, assumed position as the acting chairman of the party following the resignation of Chief Rufus Agbedi, who resigned  from the position and left the PDP in controversial circumstances to contest the senatorial election on the platform of another political party.

The state executive council, which would meet very soon to decide who becomes the substantive chairman of the party has all elected political office holders from the state including President Goodluck Jonathan, the embattled  Governor Sylva and his deputy, elected zonal officers from the state and all members of the state executive council, presently headed by Chief Obieme as members.

A disturbed Governor Sylva came to the PDP national secretariat yesterday  to meet with members of the PDP National Working Committee on the development.

Speaking with journalists after a meeting with the PDP National Secretary, Dr. Musa Babayo, Governor Sylva confirmed the development.

'Well, those are rumours; those are stories that are going round. The National Executive Committee (NEC) has the responsibility of running the party at national level and make sure that things are done properly in all the states. So they have written a letter to us. But right now, we feel there are issues we can discuss  and  agree on; that's one of the things I have come to iron out with the party.'

Governor Sylva, however, expressed confidence that he would pick the party's governorship ticket.

'As far as my carrying the PDP flag is concerned, I am very confident, I am a party man, I have performed as governor and I am confident that my people will give me the mandate.''

Daily Sun findings also revealed that three aspirants have indicated their readiness to vie for the PDP governorship ticket. The list include a member of the House of Representatives, Mr. Henry Seriake Dickson; former special to the minister of the federal capital territory, (Area Councils Affairs), Mr. Bolouba Orufa and Mr. Sterling Ayebaemi Ellis.