PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY
[BAYELSA STATE CHAPTER]
Re-Instated LGA Chairmen: Bayelsa PDP Stand On the Matter
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bayelsa State Chapter, notes with grave concern the activities of the Chairmen of the three local government areas of Ekeremor, Sagbama and Kolokuma/Opokuma and their desperate attempt to
undermine the peace of the LGAs under their care. It has come to our notice that the Chairmen are doing so with the active support and collaboration of some desperate politicians and power seekers who do not mean well for our dear state.
Barely two months ago PDP in Bayelsa State waded into the matter concerning the three LGAs. We took the decision because of several disturbing reports on the refusal of the Chairmen of the three local government areas to work with their respective Councilors.
As a responsible party, we at the time decried the action of the Chairmen, particularly their refusal to work with the Councilors. The party advised the chairmen to work harmoniously with their councilors and not see their reinstatement by the Supreme Court as a call to exact vengeance.
Sadly, rather than allow reason prevail, the said chairmen have chosen to embrace the path of self-destruction, apparently because they have long ceased dumped our great party and embraced little known Change Advocacy Party (CAP).
Having found themselves in councils dominated by PDP-elected councilors, these chairmen have since discovered that they cannot be Sole Administrators from their shaky CAP platform. The point must be made clear that no sooner had the Chairmen been reinstated than they appointed their Vice Chairmen without recourse to the councilors, who are constitutionally empowered to ratify such appointments.
The three council Chairmen must be made to understand that democracy at all levels runs on the time-tested Principle of Separation of Powers. They are not and cannot be imperial chairmen. The councilors, as legislators, should be allowed to do their job. The current crisis in the councils was solely the result of the reinstated chairmen trying to run their councils like emperors and the insistence of the legislators that the Constitution be obeyed.
No one can question the rights of the councilors to investigate or impeach the chairmen if they so desire. They have such powers under the constitution. The resort to blackmail is not only cheap, but belated. As a Party that believes in Constitutionality, we insist that the right thing be done no matter whose ox is gored.
Signed
Col. Sam Inokoba (Rtd)
Chairman, PDP Bayelsa State Chapter
