Former aides, political associates of the immediate past governor of Bayelsa state, Timipre Sylva led by his Deputy, Werinipre Seibarugu and over 1,000 decampees from other sixteen registered political parties on Wednesday made a dramatic u-turn to the ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party, (PDP).
The reception held at the PDP secretariat in Yenagoa had in attendance the Chairman of the party, Col. Sam Inokoba (rtd), the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Kombowei Benson, party chieftains and top government functionaries.
Receiving them back into the party, the State Governor, Seriake Dickson, described the decision of the affected party faithful as a welcome development.
Calling on them to always be peaceful and work towards the development of the State, the Governor said the era of political violence is over in the State, disclosing that since the present administration came on board, over two years ago, the state has been enjoying relative peace.
According to him, what unites us is bigger than party affiliation. We are first of all Bayelsans and Ijaw people. Parties go, but we remain united by a common destiny and it is in that respect, that I join the Chairman and the leaders of the party in receiving you back into the fold.
Describing the PDP as the most formidable party without ethnic and religious bias in the Country, he told the returnees to see their absence as a political accident, adding that, ‘the most important thing is that, you have always remained members of the PDP in Bayelsa state.
“Henceforth, I will relate with you in your individual capacities as members of the party. I welcome you all from the bottom of my heart. I thank you on behalf of the President, the people of Bayelsa and the Ijaw nation.
I assure you, that everybody will be fully reintegrated back to the party. Our party umbrella is big enough to accommodate all of you. Feel free to aspire to any position. Feel free to express your opinion. However, in doing that, you must follow due process and follow party guidelines.
Since you left, there has been greater cohesion and unity in the party and respect for constituted authority. Your party under Col. Inokoba; there is law and order.
Chairman, you have the mandate of the Party to work out modalities for their reintegration into the party. There is no discrimination at all. What God has ordained, no man can change. We are politicians and sometimes we fight over nothing. I assure you of my readiness to work with you all.
Earlier, the immediate past Deputy Governor, Werinipre Seibarugu said, at no point in time did they abandon the PDP for another party, adding that even though our leader has identified with another party, we remain committed to the PDP.
According to him, we are using this occasion to debunk the insinuation that we have left the ruling party. We are here to strongly affirm our commitment and loyalty to the party, Mr. President and the present administration in the state.
Also, the State chairman of the party, Col. Sam Inokoba, rtd, described the return of some of the members as a welcome development, adding that it will further consolidate the gains of the restoration government.
