About 5, 000 members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa state on Wednesday defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the Oxbow Lake Pavillion in Swali, Yenagoa. The defectors were led by the former State Chairman of the PDP, Dr. Tarila Tebepa; ex Chairman of the Civil Service Commission, Engr. Monday Karibo; ex Leader of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Hon. Stephen Erebo; ex member of the House of Assembly, Hon. Francis Otele and a former key chieftain, Hon. Iro Kominibo.
Other defectors include former Commissioner, Hon Geseye Isowo; an ex member of the House of Assembly, Hon. Johnson Alalibo; returnee former chieftain of PDP, Chief Victor Awala; and ex House of Assembly member, Hon. Ayiba Duba among others.
The defection coincided with the sixth anniversary celebration of Governor Seriake Dickson. They were received by the National Chairman of the PDP, Uche Secondus and the Governor of the state.
Speaking, Secondus said “Please drop your brooms. The broom has brought killings, hunger and starvation. Never again will our people witness killing and hunger. I hereby congratulate you and welcome you to our party.
“We just came back from Abia State and the PDP governors are performing. This is the party that can rescue the country from hunger, killing and starvation."
Dickson on his part said “In the new Bayelsa, we receive and welcome everybody. Bayelsa State is the foundation of PDP. In the last election, the APC did everything to take Bayelsa. They now wanted to destroy the soul and spirit of the party because they know that PDP has its soul in Bayelsa.
“Six years in the saddle, you’re all here celebrating our achievements because you supported us. We are also using this Valentine Day (because I am the only Valentine governor) to celebrate. Bayelsa Valentine is a special one. Bayelsa state has wonderful schools. Welcome to the new Bayelsa. If you (APC leaders) are truly on ground, ask your people what the Federal Government has done for them.
Politics is not about cultism, drug abuse, but service to the people. Their only hope is that elections would be manipulated for them by federal might. This time it will be worse for them.”
