Yenagoa—A stalwart of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State, Barr. Austin Adigio has said Okpoama Kingdom in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State cannot operate a one-party system, saying that political diversity will benefit and bring development to the Kingdom.
Adigio stated this on Tuesday while some PDP leaders and stakeholders of Brass Ward 4 received some decampees from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.
While pointing out that politics is supposed to bring about development, the PDP chieftain alleged that the APC has only encouraged brigandage in the community.
Adigio who was a candidate of the PDP in the 2023 Bayelsa State House of Assembly election in Brass Constituency II urged the decampees to be steadfast in the PDP despite the challenges they may face in their new party.
He told newsmen that “They have seen value in PDP and have decided to join us.
“It has always been our prayer for those in the other party to join us in building the state.
“So today we have seen a realization of that prayer, seeing those in the APC join us. It is as if we went fishing and got a good catch.”
He added that “their defection will strengthen the party and bring political fortune and lasting progress to our party, community and the people,” Adigio added.
Those who decamped include a former youth president of Okpoama Kingdom, Mr. Nadu Okenema (APC), Olali Alex (APC), Ikisa A. Ikisa (APC), Kenneth Whoknows (APC), Albert Sunday (APC) and Mr. Odibo Moses (SDP).
Speaking during the ceremony, Okenema who led the decampees disclosed that he was formerly of the PDP before cross-carpeting to the APC following suggestions that the grass in the latter was greener.
He said the PDP is designed naturally to bear fruit whereas that is not the case in the APC, insisting that the values of his former party are not in line with his beliefs or system.
The youth leader who named the ongoing construction of the Nembe-Brass road by the Douye Diri-led Bayelsa State government as one the reasons for his defection hailed the governor and described him as a silent achiever.
According to him, “The PDP is designed naturally to bear fruit. But that is not the case in the APC.
“I have been opportune to see how things are in APC. The party is not in line with my values and belief system.
“APC is very disorganized and does not hold strategic meetings to discuss the way forward.
“One thing that informed my decision is the Nembe-Brass road. Governor Diri does not say much but is silently developing Bayelsa.
“I like his system. He is a peaceful and development-driven man and we are ready to support his reelection ambition.
Similarly, Moses Odibo, a decampee from the Social Democratic Party( SDP) in the ward admitted that “what we are after is good leadership. We saw that there is good leadership in PDP so we decided to join the party.”
Earlier, Chief Nyananyo Tubo–Omiela, the PDP leader in Brass Ward 4, while welcoming the decampees said the PDP is now their new home, assuring them of a level playing field as well as equal entitlements as every other member of the party.
He further assured that a better and grand reception will be organized to properly mark their defection in due time.
On his part, former Member of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly representing Brass Constituency II, Hon. Alfred Watson Belemote stated that the PDP as a party prioritizes the interest of all members, adding that “each person is critical to the success of our party in the ward.”
Watson sued for unity and steadfastness from the party faithful and urged them to do all they can to ensure the victory of the party and Governor Douye Diri who is seeking reelection in the November 11 guber poll.