SYLVA’S AIDES FORM NEW PDP IN BAYELSA

There was confusion yesterday in the home state of President Goodluck Jonathan, Bayelsa, over the formation of the new Peoples Democratic Party. Investigation by National Mirror revealed that former aides and associates of the erstwhile governor of the state, Timipre Sylva, were behind the birth of the factional PDP. Supporters of Governor Seriake Dickson and top government functionaries who are apprehensive on the development are keeping sealed lips on the formation of the group.
It was gathered that the emergence of the group was owing to perceived lack of internal democracy in the PDP at the state level. One of the aggrieved PDP stalwarts, who pleaded anonymity, told National Mirror in an interview that the real members of the party in the state were regrouping as they pledged their loyalty to Kawu Baraje led faction. He said:”You guys are aware of the illegality perpetuated by the President in the state without due recourse to democratic norms.
We are ready to fight him. We want to tell the world that he is not a political weight in his home town.” National Mirror was reliably informed that the former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Timi Alaibe, was sympathetic to the factional PDP owing to how he was humiliated at the just concluded special convention of the party in Abuja. An impeccable source who wouldn’t want his name in the print alleged that Alaibe’s name was replaced as delegate at the last minute by that of a Special Adviser to the President on Domestic Affairs, Waripamo Dudafagha.
The group is led by an interim Chairman and former Special Adviser on Security Matters to Sylva, Richard Kpodor. Among other members of the new PDP include a former Commissioner on Water Resources, Kuroghoekedgha Francis, former council chairman in Kolokuma/Opokuma local government, Ineye Igbainfagha, among others.
But, in a reaction, the state Publicity Secretary of PDP, Osom Macbere, said the party was not threatened by the activities of some “vagabond s” who would eventually negotiate their return as political prodigals.
He said:”Do you know them by their leaders or secretariat? Of the pack, just show me one credible name known in politics. All of them are opportunists. This occasion to them has the semblance of opportunities to exploit.
Source: National Mirror