Yenagoa—There is rising unease in the fold of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa state following the decision by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) and ten other officials under the administration of Governor Douye Diri to succumb to pressure and join the race for the ticket of the party to contest the state and national election in the state.
Leadership newspaper reports that among those serving under the present administration in the state and that have accepted the calls from their constituents are the Secretary of the State Petroleum Task Force Committee, Hon. Waikumo Amakoromo and a Commissioner at the Local Government Service Commission, Hon. Cleopas Carter.
Others are the Special Adviser to the Governor on Legislative matters, Hon. Alfred Belemote Watson and the Special Adviser on Investment, Dr. Jonathan Obuebite.
While many politicians in the state claimed the decision by the government officials to join the race was a deliberate move to replace the incumbent legislators and create a loyal camp around the state governor, others described the decision as a normal and more healthy decision that will allow for the best to emerge to represent their constituents.
The entrance of the Bayelsa SSG, Rt.Hon. Kombowei Benson is believed to be a plot to unseat the incumbent Senator representing Bayelsa Central, Senator Moses Cleopas.
Cleopas is said to have lost face among PDP members in the area and the Diri group in the party.
But over a thousand card-carrying members of the PDP made up of youths, women and men in Gbarain/ Ekpetiama, Yenagoa constituency 2 took to the streets to explain the reasons behind their demand for the Secretary of the State Task Force on Petroleum Monitoring, Hon. Waikumo Amakoromo to join the race for the State Assembly elections.
According to the representative of the five wards in constituency 2 of Yenagoa Local Government Council area from wards 7-11, the decision to call on Amakoromo to join the race is due to his contributions and status as a worthy party man who will win elections for the PDP to support the Gov. Douye Diri led prosperity administration.
Amakoromo who received the group at his hometown in ward nine expressed appreciation for the confidence bestowed on him by the party stakeholders in his constituents.
The champion of the youths Agenda noted that as a card-carrying member of PDP from inception till date, he is willing to continually support Diri’s prosperity mantra and protect the interest of the party in the constituency to provide more democratic dividends to the people.
Amakoromo noted that with the call on him to contest for the state assembly seat to represent their voices after consulting widely, he accepts the call wholeheartedly in the interest of the party faithfuls from Gbarain and Ekpetiama kingdoms in Yenagoa Local Government Area, and the state in general.
