Bayelsa Poll: Sylva Loyalists Dump APC, Diri Warns Against Violence

All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State has suffered a setback after the Seibarugu political dynasty dumped it and joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The influential group, comprising thousands of members across the state, is led by a former acting Governor and Speaker of the House of Assembly, Chief Werinipre Seibarugu.

At a formal declaration during a meeting with Governor Douye Diri in Government House, Yenagoa, coordinator of the Seibarugu Dynasty, Mr. Ebiye Waripamo, said they were attracted to the PDP because of the governor’s leadership style which they described as peaceful and development-oriented. 

Waripamo said after assessing Diri’s performance in almost four years, particularly the prevailing peace and security as well as the ongoing developmental projects across the state, they were left with no choice but to join hands with him to move Bayelsa forward.

He assured the governor and members of the PDP of their unalloyed commitment to the governor’s re-election on November 11, 2023.

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He said: “We left Jerusalem and went to Egypt but now we are back in Jerusalem and this is where we will stay. We are not going back again.

“Your Excellency, we have seen your developmental strides in the state and we are impressed. We came back to PDP because of your leadership style.”

Also speaking, the PDP national financial secretary, Daniel Woyengikuro, said he led members of the party in the Gbarain-Ekpetiama axis of Yenagoa local government area to formally introduce the Seibarugu dynasty to the governor. 

Describing members of the group as the main opposition elements in Yenagoa Constituency 2, Woyengikuro expressed optimism that by joining the PDP, election in the constituency will be a walkover for the ruling party.

Responding, Governor Douye Diri described Chief Seibarugu as a man of conviction and integrity. 

Diri said, “A lot of people think politics is about propaganda. The opposition is good at that. All you hear from them is we have done nothing. But what did he do during his time as governor?”

In a related development, Governor Diri warned that any traditional ruler that allowed election violence in his domain would be deposed.

He gave the warning at the weekend when he led the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship campaign team on a visit to the palace of the Okpo XXI of Okpoama Kingdom, King Ebitimi Banigo, at Okpoama in Brass Local Government Area of the state.