As the leading political parties gears up for another popularity test in Bayelsa on November 11, SOJI AJIBOLA examines the hide and seek among the major political actors in the state.
CAN Bayelsa State retain its position as the strong base of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Niger Delta region, especially with the threat posed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Labour Party (LP} as the November 11, 2023 governorship election draws near? The PDP has relatively held sway since 1999. The late Diepreye Alamieyesiegha broke all odds to become the first civilian governor of the state though he was later impeached in 2023 following a series of allegations levelled against him by the state House of Assembly then headed by Honourable Peremobowei Ebebi.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan, then deputy governor, stepped in in an acting capacity as governor. He later contested the PDP primary but Chief Timipre Sylva came second after the withdrawal of the then Director of Finance, Niger Delta Development Commission, Chief Timi Alaibe from the race. Jonathan, after the primary, was picked as the Vice-President to Chief Olusegun Obasanjo. So, it paved the way for Sylva to become the governorship candidate of the PDP. He enjoyed the overwhelming support of the people of the state as he won the election in all the eight local government areas of the state.
However, efforts by Sylva to retain the seat for the second term did not succeed as he fell out of favour with the leadership of PDP. He later defected to the then Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). The leadership of the party zoned the governorship slot to the Bayelsa West senatorial district and Senator Seriake Dickson was favoured.
The winning streak and dominance of the PDP continued as Dickson completed his two-term tenure of eight years. But the tide changed in 2020 with the incursion of the APC into Bayelsa politics. All the achievements and influence of the administration of Dickson were not enough to give PDP victory at the poll. Some measures, including the late appointment of indigenes as Senior Assistants and Senior Special assistants could not save the day for PDP. There was also the issue of money politics, ditto a wave of defections that involved high flying political actors. However, it paled into insignificance based on the number of votes garnered by the PDP and its governorship candidate, Senator Douye Diri.
The APC governorship candidate, David Lyon won in virtually all the local government areas, including the homestead of former Governor Dickson but as fate would have it, he was not sworn in as the governor as his deputy lost a court case over alleged forgery. This political scenario earned Diri the tag, the miracle governor. But the question among most stakeholders in Bayelsa is: will the miracle repeat itself on November 11, especially now that the church and its members are said to be no longer one. The PDP has been factionalised along the line of restoration and prosperity caucuses. Some members are said to be loyal to the immediate past governor, Senator Dickson while the other camp owes allegiance to incumbent Governor Diri.
The two leaders are said to be carrying on in the political space in a manner to depict that all is well between them. Yet a preponderance of observers are of the belief that it is all about hide and seek. According to sources close to both leaders, the seeming cold war between them came to the fore during the burial of the late father of the incumbent governor at Sampou in Kolokuma/Opokuma local government. The claim was that Dickson was not accorded the required recognition as the leader of PDP, who facilitated the emergence of Senator Diri as the governor of Bayelsa. Senator Dickson was offered a back seat whereas other prominent leaders, among them, former President Jonathan, invited governors and other PDP leadership took the front row. Coupled with this is the insinuation that supporters of Dickson were marginalised in the sharing of political offices, that did not go down well with the members of the Restoration Caucus. But, members of the Prosperity Caucus submitted that the present administration has been fair to Dickson in terms of political appointments, especially in Sagbama axis. They attributed the delay in the constitution of the campaign council to the late approval of Senator Dickson of some of the members that made up the list.
However, the return of Diri and the chances of other leading candidates: Timipre Sylva of APC and Udengs Eradiri will be determined by how grounded they are at the grassroots. Bayelsa comprises eight local government areas with Southern Ijaw taking the lead in terms of population while Ogbia and Kolokuma/Opokuma lead from the rear.
Southern Ijaw local government
Southern Ijaw local government is the homestead of the deputy governorship candidate of the APC, Joshua Macciver and the incumbent Secretary to the State Government, Gideon Ekeowei. Also the Labour Party (LP) candidate is not a push over in the area as he once led the Ijaw Youth Council as its National President. With the feat of the Labour Party in the last general election nationwide, according to some pundits, Eradiri could spring a surprise. But, with the developmental stride of the present administration, especially infrastructural projects in the Central senatorial district road and other projects, Diri may have a smooth ride to the Creek Haven. However, with the command influence of Macciver and recent defection of the former Commissioner for Agriculture, Dodei Week, APC could create an upset at the poll. The likes of Ebifomowei otherwise known as Osuo 1 and other bigwigs from Amasoma where the chunks of the votes is expected from may stall the ambition of Diri. However, the PDP may take advantage of the frosty relationship between the former governorship candidate of the APC, Lyon who happens to come from the area and his boss, Sylva. Since Lyon was denied the opportunity to fly the flag of the party, he has withdrawn to his shell. Nobody can actually say whether he is working for or against Sylva.
Ogbia local government
Ogbia local government area is the homestead of former President Goodluck Jonathan. Jonathan had hinted that he has taken leave from partisan politics but still remains a factor in Ogbia politics. While Jonathan is claiming to have exited partisan politics, his wife, Dame Patience Jonathan is said to be deeply involved. Also the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Samuel Ogbuku and the former Chairman of Ogbia local government, Ebinyor Turner who recently defected to the APC frustrated the re-election bid of Diri. However, politics is not a rocket science. It is a game of losing some to gain some. The likes of Senator Ben Agadaga who is being positioned to take over from Diri, if he eventually succeeds in his second term bid and the incumbent chairman of Ogbia local Mizo Ibu Williams are working tirelessly to ensure the return of Diri to Creek Haven.
Sagbama local government
Except for the perceived cold war between Dickson and Diri, Sagbama has been declared as a no go area for the opposition parties. The PDP control larger percentage of the votes from Sagbama. While there is recorded gale of defection in other local government area, the stakeholders in the area are committed to the success of the PDP but the LP and APC are threatening to dislodge the PDP. The Election Petition Tribunal recently annulled the election of Honourable Fred Agbedi representing Sagbama Ekeremor Federal Constituency and ordered re-run in some wards in Ebedebiri community and other areas. Other contestants are capitalizing on this development to prove that end has come to the dominance of the PDP in the area.
Yenagoa local government area
Over 45 percent of the people residing in the locality are not indigenes; its natives are, Epie, Atissa and Ijaw. The performance of the Labour Party and the influence of its governorship candidate, Udengs Eradiri is key in the coming poll. Going by the population of the youth in the locality, Labour Party may have the upper hand but the influence of Honourable Oforji who has been described as a grassroots mobiliser and defection of the followers of the former Speaker of the House of Assembly, Wwerinipre Sebarugu may be an added advantage for Diri. Also, the APC may capitalise on federal might to garner vote from the area.
Nembe LGA.
The area has always been a hot spot of Bayelsa politics. Election in the area is always characterized with violence. Of recent, some stakeholders were barred from Nembe Bassambiri but for the swift response of a Special Police Squad. Nembe is the homestead of the governorship candidate of the APC, Sylva, immediate past Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah, the former Chief Whip, Bayelsa House of Assembly, Dr. Jonathan Obuebite and host of others. It is going to be a straight battle between the PDP and APC
Brass local government
A former chairman of the Brass local government, Isaiah has defected to the APC; similarly, a former member of the House of Representatives on the platform of the APC has joined the PDP. Therefore, the two parties have drawn the battle line.
Kolokuma/Opokuma
The local government area is the homestead of the incumbent governor and the people are most likely to fully identify with his re-election bid come November 11.
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