Close

Kelvin Suoyo Appah: a misfired loyalty challenge

By: Ebi Accra

Researchers are ordinarily expected to be analytical and strategic in taking critical decisions.

This can not be said of Dr. Kelvin Suoyo Appah, following his recent political somersault to dump the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

A popular quote says, “you are not required to set yourself on fire to keep other people warm.”

Suoyo Appah has certainly not listened to wise counsels. He is getting carried away by the social media trends of a few fair-weather friends and political neophytes who will abandon the ship when it hits troubled waters. Politics is deeper than it seems.

Ambition is personal, and so, Suoyo’s political vision should have been personal and not influenced by the foolery of a few friends.

Come to think of it, Suoyo Appah had been a great beneficiary of the PDP system and enjoyed the benevolence of the incumbent Governor, Senator Douye Diri, who on his own volition appointed him the Executive Assistant on NYSC Matters.

This same position, which he held under the administration of Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, as Senior Special Assistant. Before his political nose dive, he was the Executive Assistant to the Governor, which is an equivalent to a Commissionership cadre and a promotion under the miracle governor.

Suoyo Appah, who may have been long in politics, should understand that you need a rock-solid backbone and political structure to challenge and upstage a well structure system and a widely acceptable Governor that hails from the same constituency.

If he is erroneously looking back at history and misconstruing the “upset” recorded when the former Speaker, Rt. Hon. Tonye Emmanuel Isenah won the State Assembly seat of Kolokuma/Opokuma Constituency One under the Labour Party in 2011, he should have been told that Isenah’s victory was issued by the able and ebullient structure and support of Chief Ndutimi Alaibe and incumbent Governor, Douye Diri.

The PDP under then-Governor Timipre Sylva had fielded a relatively unknown candidate, Mr. Teddy Bai, against a grassroots candidate in Rt. Hon. Isenah.

Also in Kolokuma/Opokuma Constituency Two, Engr. Ebiye Tarabina, won the election in 2015 under APGA because the entire Opokuma Kingdom led by the traditional rulers and political heavyweights stood solidly behind him. Distinguished political leader, Hon. Waripamo Dudafa is alive today to testify.

At present, Hon. Pamoh Werinipre, who is the widely accepted choice of the PDP stakeholders, youths and elders for the Kolokuma/Opokuma Constituency 1 seat is grassroots and fully on the ground in Kaiama. He is not like Teddy Bai of the past.

Read also: Chrisland immoral act: our collective embarrassment

Today, comparing APGA to PDP in Bayelsa is like comparing a dream with reality. APGA might exist as a party in Nigeria but PDP exists with body, soul and people in Bayelsa State with strength. Who are the heavyweights backing Suoyo? This seems to us a political journey to obscurity and extinction!

Regrettably, his mentor and leader, Rt. Hon. Isenah has been blowing a whistle for him to have a rethink but Suoyo’s case now appears like a case of a dog that wants to go missing, and certainly will not get to hear the sound of the whistle.

When ambition beclouds sound reasoning, this is the capitulation one observes. This is a political suicide where all the labour to build a party for years comes to zero. By defecting to APGA for not being considered for a State House of Assembly position, exposes him as a man lacking loyalty to the PDP, political leaders and his erstwhile boss, His Excellency, Governor Douye Diri.

Suoyo Appah has now been tested in loyalty and he failed woefully.!!!

It is, however, good that he started the “naked” dances very early. He should also know that Bayelsa State is a stronghold of the PDP, and the party structure in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area remains unshakable.

PDP leaders and members in Kolokuma/Opokuma Constituency One and Two have risen to the occasion. And Suoyo Appah knows that he and his fringes of APGA supporters constitute an insignificant percentage to challenge the PDP choices, particularly in Kaiama town, where Mr. Werinipre, the choice PDP aspirant for the State Assembly hails from.

Suoyo Appah should be reminded that Governor Douye Diri never wished him bad but has rather always protected his interest. Taking an action to ridicule a leader that gave you an opportunity to serve is the height of ungratefulness.

With this desperate move, is Suoyo Appah making us believe that the choice aspirant, Pamoh Werinipre, has no followership in Kaiama?

PDP will win the election. And when the chips are down, PDP may welcome Suoyo Appah and his misguided few, back to the largest umbrella party, the People Democratic Party.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Leave a comment SUPPORT MANGROVEPEN' JOURNALISM OF INTEGRITY & CREDIBILITY.

It takes lots of money to inform, educate and entertain audiences, keep a watchful eye on the government as well as promote values that will benefit society through virile journalism.

We therefore request your modest donation to ensure that our news and other content remain freely available and accessible to all netizens.