Ogbia—Aspirants in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State have formally declared their intentions to run for various political seats in the 2023 general election.
Mangrovepen.ng gathered that this was at a meeting convened by the leadership of the Ogbia caucus led by Chief Innocent Afagha wherein the aspirants took turns to declare their interest in the various positions.
Aspirants who declared their interest in the party’s senatorial ticket include the Chief of Staff Government House Yenagoa, Chief Benson Agadaga, a former Executive Secretary of the Federal Character Commission, Barr. Rex Jude Ogbuku and a retired senior Police officer, Chief Nyenami Odual.
Others who declared for the party’s House of Representatives ticket were a former Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, a serving lawmaker in the state assembly, Chief Mitema Obodor, chairman of Ogbia Local Government Council, Hon. Ebinyo Turner and the incumbent, Hon. Fred Obua.
Mangrovepen.ng gathered that the three senatorial aspirants all hail from Ogbia Constituency 3 where the ticket has reportedly been zoned to while three out of the four House of Representatives aspirants are from Ogbia Constituency 1, where it is said to be zoned except the incumbent who is seeking a second term.
In his comments, the chairman of the caucus, Chief Afagha said the gathering was at the instance of the leader of the party, Senator Douye Diri.
He noted that the governor directed all the eight local government areas caucuses to meet with aspirants as part of measures to prevent heating up the polity.
Afagha stated that the meeting was therefore meant to give opportunities to interested aspirants who wish to contest the various elective offices in Ogbia to do so.
According to him, electable candidates
will be recommended to the leadership of the PDP to fly the party’s flag in the general elections, adding that where it is possible, aspirants will be asked to step down for a consensus candidate to emerge but should that fail, the aspirants will be made to slug it out at the party primaries.
One of the aspirants for the Ogbia Federal Constituency seat and former information and orientation commissioner, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, commended the caucus for the manner they have conducted the process and urged them to settle for only the best.
He said the PDP can only win elections with popular and acceptable candidates and such people should not be sacrificed for sentimental reasons, doing so he said would be a terrible mistake that will cost the party at the polls.
Iworiso-Markson reiterated that he was in the race because he believes in offering the best representation for the people of Ogbia and that he will do if given the opportunity.
Ten more aspirants also declared their intention for the three state house of assembly seats in the local government.
