By Jesse Ese, Yenagoa
Former Chief of Staff, Bayelsa Government House, and present Chief of Staff, Bayelsa House, Abuja, Chief Diekivie Ikiogha, has said that APC is not a threat in Bayelsa State.
He made this remark while chatting with newsmen in Yenagoa recently. He maintained that Bayelsa State is a PDP state and advised all who have issues with the party members to go and resolve it within the party.
His words: “As far as Bayelsa is concerned, this is a PDP state and I don’t think anybody is mad here like what is happening in River State where the governor is beginning to say that APC should come in because of his selfish interest, not looking at the interest of the South-South that has never produced president.”
“This is the first time we have produced and even in the next 40 years, we can hardly produce president.”
“Anybody who feels he should make impact with APC in this state is a big joker. We have never and will never be APC state, so, anybody who is here projecting the image of APC is another mad person.”
“I am telling you the truth, honestly, that is why the people are hiding themselves because they cannot come out that they are APC. Because we don’t want to compromise any vote to any other party in this state rather than PDP.”
“But President Jonathan himself said in one of the occasions he attended that the state is moving towards a two-party system, and it is definitely coming out but that doesn’t mean APC’s chances are threatening in any way.”
“I don’t even know the few we have in the state. I believe it is because of the grievances they have with some PDP members, including my very self. They just want to make up a number and say APC is also existing in Bayelsa, I don’t think that they are serious.”
The Chief of Staff tasked Bayelsans to support President Jonathan in the 2015 presidential elections because he has acted as a friend, brother, father and uncle.
Chief Ikiogha also stated that “at the time APC will sit to bring out their candidates, you will see the split, it will be worse than what we you are experiencing in PDP.”
In his response concerning the president’s ambition in 2015, Chief Diekivie Ikiogha stated that Dr. Goodluck Jonathan is deceiving himself if he doesn’t have the intention to contest. Giving his reasons, he stressed that it is because he has performed more than any president which Nigeria has ever had.
According to him, President Jonathan being the most criticized president in the country is as a result of his coming from minority area in the country.
He also added that the minority tribes in the country will be disappointed if Jonathan fails to contest in 2015. “If he says he cannot contest, then he has disappointed minority tribes and theminority tribes are much more than the majority if put together.”
Chief Diekivie stressed that President Jonathan has made the minority tribes in the country proud. “We are not seeing any other presidential candidate that is better than him for now, considering his position and what he is doing” he added.
“The majority and the minority tribes are asking him to continue his good work.”
Chief Diekivie Ikiogha added that they are trying to come out in no distant time with what they called the International Index Network with an appropriate data to show to Nigerians the good works that President Jonathan is doing in the country.
