Bayelsa Guber Poll: Ex-PDP Aspirant Defects to APC, Vows to Rescue State From ‘Emperor’ Dickson

A Former governorship aspirant on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa state, Nimi Barigha-Amange, has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Announcing his defection on Wednesday in Abuja when he addressed newsmen at the APC national secretariat after he officially submitted his defection letter to the party’s Ag National Secretary, Victor Giadom, and the National Auditor, George Moghalu,Barigha-Amange vowed to work against the PDP in the November 16 gubernatorial election to rescue the state from the clutches of the state governor, Seriake Dickson.

“When I was in PDP, we were enslaved by only one man who regarded himself as an emperor. There were no political activities there even if you want to be a councilor. The 105 councillors were nominated by him. The eight chairmen were nominated by him, so, I cannot be part of that.

“I was one of the founding fathers of PDP in Bayelsa State. I did not join the PDP. I took part in the formation of PDP here in August 1998, and I have been there since. But I have never seen this kind of authoritarian rule.

“So, I have decided to pitch my tent with a party that can uproot this bottom from the ground, so that, Bayelsans will be freed, and I promise you, Bayelsans will be freed come November 16, 2019,” he said.

Speaking further, he said: “Today, I can tell you that the candidate of APC, David Lyon, comes from Southern Ijaw LGA. That is the local government with the highest voting strength. Definitely, that local government is for APC. I come from Nembe LGA and by my joining APC, Nembe has fallen into the hands of APC.

“Brass is where Timipre Sylva comes from and Brass normally is for APC. And I also assisted APC in winning my own senatorial district in the last election. I also assisted APC in winning House of Representatives seat during February election.

“So, those three LGAs are gone and we can give Kolokuma/Opokuma, the smallest LG to PDP because their candidate is from there. Then, the Sagbama Local Government Area where the present governor comes from, will be donated to the present governor because his running mate is from Sagbama LGA.

“Where the governor comes from, is where he picks his running mate to PDP candidate. The question is, what will other LGAs do? We can still donate that to him, so, we are taking three, they are taking two. The remaining LGAs is 50/50,” he boasted.

Barigha-Amange was among the aspirants that contested the recent PDP gubernatorial election but lost to the anointed candidate of Dickson, Senator Douye Diri.