…Real reason why Governor Dickson, TAN are at war
Few weeks to the commencement of the 2015 general elections, indications have emerged that First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, may have struck a deal to make a former Governor of Bayelsa State and chieftain of All Progressives Congress, Chief Timipre Sylva represent Bayelsa East in the Senate.
Also eyeing the same seat is the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Silverbird TV CEO, Mr. Ben Bruce.
Sources said that Mrs. Jonathan has reportedly assured Sylva of “military
and police protection” during the senatorial election.
In return, a source said, Sylva had agreed to help the First Lady’s political godson and Presidential Assistant on Domestic Matters, Dr. Weripamowei Dudafagh unseat Governor Seriake Dickson next year.
The First Lady’s political romance with Sylva has reportedly unsettled PDP leaders in the state, who view the move as the height of anti-party activities.
A Presidency source said in Abuja that the increasing visibility of the controversial group, Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria, may be part of the plot to plant Sylva’s aides in PDP.
TAN’s chairman in Bayelsa State, Sylva Seibarugu, was Sylva’s deputy governor under Sylva.
The spokesman of the association, Mr. Nathan Egba, aside being said to be Sylva’s first cousin, served as his Commissioner for Information and a well known propagandist.
The Secretary to the State Government (SSG) in the Sylva administration, Mr. Gideon Ekowe, and the Assembly Speaker at the time, Hon. Nestor Binabo, are chieftains of TAN in the state.
Highly placed sources in Abuja hinted that Dickson had recently ordered that TAN should move its campaign to states where APC-has controlled and where President Goodluck Jonathan is expected to experience fierce political battle because of TAN’s hidden agenda.
The source said, “There is no gainsaying that TAN has a hidden agenda in Bayelsa. The group is not here to campaign for the reelection of President Jonathan. It is here to implement the selfish interest of the First Lady.
“The group has since been hijacked by Dame Patience who has become desperate in removing the governor. The activities of TAN have divided PDP and at the same time threatening the success of PDP in the forthcoming election.”
