Bayelsa Poll: Sylva Loses More Loyalists, as Seibarugu, Supporters Dump APC

Olusegun Samuel in Yenagoa

As the campaign for the November 11 gubernatorial poll intensifies in Bayelsa State, the state All Progressives Congress (APC) has suffered another major blow following the defection of the Seibarugu Political Dynasty to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

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

This is as the state Governor, Senator Douye Diri, approved the re-engagement of sacked staff of three state-owned tertiary institutions.

The re-absorbed 704 persons, who were disengaged in 2018, were staff members of the Niger Delta University, Amassoma (644); Isaac Jasper Adaka Boro College of Education, Sagbama (48), and the College of Health Technology, Otuogidi (12).

Speaking in the Government House, Yenagoa, when he received the report of the committee set up to look into the disengagement of the staff, Governor Diri said he approved its recommendations, which include re-engagement of the majority of those sacked based on the needs of the institutions as well as the payment of their salary arrears and other entitlements.

A statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, quoted the governor as saying that their re-absorption will take effect from September based on the recommendation of the committee.

He said contrary to speculations by those ‘who wanted to play politics with everything in the state’, his administration had been working on the issue quietly.

Diri reaffirmed his commitment to the welfare of Bayelsans, stressing that he will never play politics with the lives of the people of the state.

The governor expressed appreciation to members of the committee for the diligent job done and to those affected for their patience.

According to him, “This has been one issue we inherited, and from when we came in, we had a lot of concern about what had happened. In 2022, I constituted a committee to look into the issues.

“Some persons wanted to play politics with it but they did not know that we were working on it quietly. Today, I am happy we have come to the end of this issue.

“Having looked at the committee’s report, I approve all the recommendations. Therefore, most of the staff members, particularly in the Niger Delta University, are hereby re-engaged.”

Meanwhile, at a formal declaration during a meeting with Diri in the Government House, The Coordinator of the Seibarugu Political Dynasty, Mr. Ebiye Waripamo, said they were attracted to the PDP by the governor’s leadership style, which he said is peaceful and development-oriented.

Waripamo said after assessing Governor 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 other choice than to join hands with him to move the state forward.

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

According to him, “We left Jerusalem and went to Egypt but now we are back to 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 Political 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, the election in the constituency will be a walkover for the ruling party.

In his remarks, the state PDP Chairman, Mr. Solomon Agwana, welcomed the group and assured the members that they would not be discriminated against.

While responding, Governor Diri expressed appreciation to the leader of the group, and described Seibarugu as a man of conviction and integrity, commending his decision to return to the PDP with thousands of his supporters.

Diri said the APC in the state was a deceitful party that does not mean well for its development, saying its candidate, a former governor, had nothing reasonable to show for his time in office.

He said: “Let me appreciate your leader, Right Honourable Werinipre Seibarugu. This is how we separate men from the boys.

“There are certain decisions that are taken out of conviction. Seibarugu is a man of conviction, who looks at issues and does not take decisions based on sentiments.

“It is not about what will come into your pocket. Rather, what legacies are we leaving? That is what drives us as a government.

“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 who allowed election violence in his domain would be deposed.

He gave the warning at the weekend when he led the PDD 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.

While thanking the Okpoama monarch, the council of chiefs, and other stakeholders for their royal blessings and warm reception, he urged them to sustain the prevailing peace in the state before, during, and after the election.