A former chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Werinipre Seibarugu, a one time Acting Governor of Bayelsa state has described The APC in the state as depleted in ranks and in tatters as many of their prominent members have defected to the ruling PDP in the state.
Seibarugu, a former stakeholder of APC in the state and one time Acting Governor, Deputy Governor and Speaker of the House of Assembly stated this at a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rally at Agudama- Ekpetiama area of Yenagoa over the weekend.
He called on the people to vote PDP in this Saturday’s governorship poll to allow the Governor Diri continue delivering dividends of democracy to the state.
In a statement by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary and member of the Publicity Directorate of the state PDP Governorship Campaign Council, Mr Daniel Alabrah, Seibarugu was quoted as saying, “We are all with Governor Diri. The entire state knows that we were the APC stalwarts in Bayelsa and now that we have left, the APC is empty.
“Nobody should deceive you. If they tell you to go and do anything for them (APC), tell your families and friends that they are wasting their time. It is better for you to hear this from the horse’s mouth.
“My former boss (Timipre Sylva) was on a radio programme recently saying he was going to do human empowerment. Ask him, when he was Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, who did he empower? So let us all vote for Governor Diri.”
Governor Diri in his remarks acknowledged the contributions of the Ekpetiama people to the development of both the state and nation.
He expressed delight that Seibarugu returned to the PDP to work for its success in the November 11 governorship election.
At the palace of the Ibenanaowei of Ekpetiama Kingdom, King Bubaraye Dakolo, who doubles as the Chairman of The State Traditional Rulers Council, the governor obliged The Monarch’s requests which include installation of solar lights, rehabilitation of roads, access road to the palace as well as construction of roads in Bomoundi-gbene and Ikibiri communities.
Governor Diri also directed the Commissioner for Power and The State Electricity Board to assess the community’s power situation and report to him.
The governor also directed the Commissioner for Education to inspect the state of the Gbarain Community Primary School so that it be put to proper use.
Part of the campaign trail was a former Senate President and two-term Governor of Kwara State, Dr Bukola Saraki, who called on INEC to ensure credible, free and fair election in Bayelsa state, while calling on the law enforcement agencies to ensure that the election is peaceful and that the people’s will will prevail.
Addressing journalists after inaugurating Government Science and Technical College Swali in Yenagoa he said “When you are in Abuja, you hear all kinds of things.
But coming here, l can see that the PDP is fully on ground. “Secondly, I can also see the infrastructure. Years ago, there was only one major road. But now you can see the development and road network as well as the joy and happiness of the people.
“In any free and fair election in Bayelsa, l am sure Diri will win. So my appeal to INEC is to ensure a free and fair election and the security agencies to ensure that there is peace so that people can express their wish freely.”
