Former Governor Sylva’s Top Ally Defects to PDP in Bayelsa
Timipre Sylva
Emmanuel Addeh in Yenagoa
A top ally of former Governor and leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State, Chief Timipre Sylva, Chief Nathan Egba, has defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.
Egba, who left the party with some leaders and several supporters, was a two-term Commissioner for Information during Sylva reign, and has been one of his strongest political associates in the state until his defection.
The state Governor, Seriake Dickson, received Egba and other top APC chieftains at the Government House in Yenagoa yesterday.
Egba, who is from the same community as Sylva in the Brass Local Government Area, said he had to return to the PDP because it was the better party for real politicking.
He said he is a founding member of the PDP, adding that he had indicated interest to rejoin the PDP long ago because the party remained the only platform for real politicians.
Egba said: “I thank Governor Dickson for this opportunity. I expressed interest to rejoin the party long ago and expected to go through some process. I thank the governor for the express admission into the party.
“I have been a member of the PDP and the APC and I know better now. It is good to be among politicians.”
Speaking also, Dickson commended Egba for his service to all civilian administrations in the state since its creation.
The governor, who called on the remaining members of the APC to leave the party for the PDP, said the essence of joining political party was to build and not to destroy.
He said Egba had a great role to play in the development of his state and was happy to welcome him back to the party.
In his remarks, the Bayelsa State PDP Chairman, Chief Moses Cleopas, said the APC was almost dead with the defection of Egba and others.
He said the PDP would relentlessly pursue the directive of the governor to totally collapse the APC in the state.
