Christopher Uche, Yenagoa
The crisis rocking the Bayelsa state chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is far from being solved as the Party’s Unity Group has rejected all efforts by Governor Seriake Dickson to woo them into accepting the Acting Chairman of the party, Chief Serena Dokubo-Spiff.
The group has insisted that the Article 14.5 of the party’s constitution which requires the party to nominate an Acting Chairman from the Central Senatorial District where the immediate past chairman hails from, must be followed.
The PDP Unity Group is a faction in the People’s Democratic Party which has criticized the leadership style of the state Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson, saying that there must be a level playing ground in the party before the conduct of the forthcoming primaries.
The group has continued to argue that since the Governor’s faction has succeeded in removing Late Col. Sam Inokoba (retd) who is from the Central Senatorial District, the party must have to follow due process by nominating an acting chairman where the ex-Chairman hails from as required by the party’s constitution.
But the faction loyal to the Governor has refused to yield to their demands especially as the incumbent acting chairman of the party is a loyal supporter of the governor, and any attempt to remove him may spell doom for the governor at the party’s primaries.
In a statement signed by the coordinator of the Unity group, Mrs. Marie Ebikake and made a available to newsmen in Yenagoa, they reiterated on their neutrality in seeking a level-playing field for any member of the party in the state who wish to contest the forth coming governorship primaries.
The group also disassociates themselves from an interactive session extended to one of their leaders through the Secretary of the party, saying it was not time for merry making considering the enormous challenge ahead of the party, which include the marauding opposition of the All Progressive Congress, APC.
The statement reads, “In our determination to achieve this goal of internal democracy as provided in our party constitution, we have had several meetings with the national delegation, led by the Acting Board of Trustees Chairman, Dr. Halibut Bello Mohammed, where far reaching decision was taken which is awaiting implementation for the overall interest of our party, especially as we approach the gubernatorial election in the state.”
Among such decision was the nomination of an Acting Chairman from the Central Senatorial District where the immediate past chairman originated from, to fulfil the current zoning formula in line with Article 4.5 of the PDP constitution.
“It is still fresh in our memories that a similar step was taken in the build up to the governorship primaries in 2011, where Deacon James Dugo, was nominated to replace Mr. Darius Obiene, for same reason of zoning.”
The group however express readiness to participate in any forum organized by the national body of the party aimed at resolving the crisis in the party in order to boost the party’s electoral fortune in the December 5th election, but decline to an invitation by the party in the state to attend a dinner/interactive session.
“We wish to make it abundantly clear at this juncture, that, the PDP Unity Group, and other associated group shall remain resolute in the pursuit for justice and equity through any available legitimate avenue until our party in Bayelsa is salvaged”, she added.
