Yenagoa—A stalwart of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State, Mr. Solomon A. Otobo has tackled the Special Adviser to the Bayelsa State Governor on Political Matters, High Chief Collins Cocodia, over comments he made on a live radio programme in Yenagoa on Thursday.
Mangrovepen.ng earlier reported that Cocodia had urged politicians in the state to channel their energy towards supporting Governor Douye Diri, instead of creating discrepancies, conflicts, or disunity with his predecessor, Senator Seriake Dickson.
According to him, “People are trying to create confusion where there shouldn’t be. It’s still the same family, the Governor and his predecessor are on good terms, they talk regularly, and sometimes take decisions together.”
“I served as governor’s representative, commissioner for youth development, and sports development, and pioneered the labour, employment and productivity ministry, all under the restoration government. But am here in the prosperity government. Does that remove me from restoration? Certainly no.
“Even the Governor served under the restoration government and then later became a national assembly member under the restoration government. The deputy governor also served as works commissioner under the restoration government.
“So let’s be fair to the two political leaders that we have, and stop trying to create confusion amongst them.”
But in a statement on Saturday, Otobo stated that it is unfortunate for Cocodia to go on air and blame political actors in the state for the rift amongst leaders of PDP knowing that Diri himself is responsible for the confusion and division in the party.
“Is it not the same SA political and other aides of Diri that are the champions of the restoration/prosperity dichotomy and have successfully alienated all those that practically staked everything to install the prosperity government?
“Is the surreptitious formation of a parallel political structure to fight against and totally decimate that of the restoration team which they felt threatened by for whatever reason, not a machination of the SA political and his conspirators?
“Is the propaganda against Diri’s boss not scripted and sponsored by the SA political and his allies under the watch of Diri,” Otobo asked.
Otobo who denied moves of reconciliation among aggrieved members of the party alleged that “rather they are contented that all the restoration champions desirous of any political office have been edged out as this allays the fears of their return for a second term being challenged.”
He averred that casually dismissing the issues on ground as though they are peripheral disagreements is a slap on the faces of those concerned.
The PDP stalwart questioned why first-timers such as the likes of Hon. Naomi Ogoli was not returned to the state assembly as agreed
“Come to think of it, was it not Gov Douye Diri’s sole decision to return all first-timers in the House of Assembly? So what now happened to Hon. Naomi Ogoli? What was the offence of Naomi against the rest that was returned?
“What was the offence of Senator Moses Cleopas? Was it former Governor Dickson’s decision too?
“What about Tolu Amatu who SDD deliberately deceived and attempted to cause disaffection between Dickson and Tolu his trusted son?” Otobo asked.
He noted that “Bayelsans and the good people that sacrificed their lives to install this prosperity government are watching the dance steps even when there is no music yet.”
