Felix Jeremiah
The Chairman, Senate committee on Water Resources, Senator Heineken
Lokpobiri, representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District on Sunday lost his re-election bid as the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) flag bearer to the former Chairman of the Bayelsa State Scholarship Board, Evang. Foster Ogola.
At the end of the National Assembly primaries held at the College of Education, Sagbama, Evangelist Ogola, led other aspirants with 69 votes, while Senator Lokpobiri scored zero votes.
Announcing the result of the primaries, the Chief Returning Officerfor the PDP Bayelsa –west senatorial primaries, Mr. Oforji Oboku disclosed, that 116 delegates were accredited for the primaries out of which 113 voted, while 3 votes were voided.
He declared that Ayakeme Whiskey had 27 votes, Dr. Stella Dorgu got 3, Frank Akpoebi 2 Capt. Matthew Karimu had 12 votes, while Senator Heineken Lokpobiri scored zero votes.
Speaking shortly after the exercise, Governor Seriake Dickson urged members of the PDP family to work together to ensure the emergence of credible representatives that would give effective support to the re-election bid of President Goodluck Jonathan.
While congratulating the contestants and delegates on their maturity and peaceful conduct, he also called on the political class across the country to listen to the voice of the people to ensure quality leadership.
His words: “I want to congratulate all the contestants and the people of Bayelsa West Senatorial District and the faithful members of our party for this transparent and all-inclusive primaries that have taken place.
“To me, the Senatorial District has spoken and this is the time for political leaders and those who seek to lead to listen to the voice of the people.
“I congratulate you all and look forward to an all-inclusive campaign that will lead to the election of a credible representative. I, again use this opportunity to urge our people to shun politics of violence. Let us work as members of one family and stand to send our very best as we have done to support the President come 2015.”
Also speaking, Evang. Foster Ogola expressed appreciation to the delegates and the people of his senatorial district for giving him the ticket and promised to justify the confidence reposed in him.
The incumbent member representing the Sagbama/Ekeremor Constituency in the House of Representatives, Dr Stella Dorgu and a one-time Bayelsa State commissioner of lands and housing, Hon Ayakeme Whiskey, all conceded defeat and pledged to work for the success of the PDP.
According to Dr Dorgu, “ As a loyal party person, I will do everything in my powers to always defend the PDP and come 2015, we will be there to vote for the party and for Mr President.
In his words, Hon Whiskey said: I thank God and all stakeholders of our party for creating the congenial and peaceful atmosphere for the primaries. I’ve always craved for an atmosphere, where people will be allowed to express their fundamental human rights. Battles are not fought in just one day. Today, the people have spoken; We were all part of the process and we saw clearly how the victor emerged and that is the rule of law.
