“We will Accept Anyone Nominated by Sen. Douye Diri as his Running Mate” – PDP

The leadership òf the Bayelsa State Chapter òf the Peoples Democratic Party has said that it would stand by any faithful and loyal member of the party that may be nominated by its candidate, Senator Douye Diri as running mate.

The party said that there are two critical arms of government the leadership of who are important: the executive arm led by the Governor and the speaker of the House, who leads the legislative arm.

The State Chairman and Secretary of the party, Hon. Moses Cleopas and Chief Godspower Keku, respectively, said in a statement on Sunday since the party’s candidate has come from the Central Senatorial District, he is at liberty to select any suitable member of the party from the two remaining zones, Bayelsa West and Bayelsa East as running mate.

They said that the party would be left with no option than to zone the speakership of the House òf Assembly and other offices in the party and government to the remaining zones for balance in accordance with the established tradition in the state since 1999.

The PDP State leadership stated that the party was not too concerned about a running mate which according to them is like a senior adviser to the governor, not different from marrying a wife which must be done by the candidate himself.

They stressed that the party had no reason to lose sleep over the issue of running mate.

According to the PDP leaders, the party had observed that there are competent party members who the candidates can select running mate as well as committed members of the the House òf Assembly who may emerge as speaker of the House òf Assembly and Head òf the legislative arm from Bayelsa West and Bayelsa East.

The party leadership said further that the history of sharing of offices from 1999 to date had always reflected the principle of fairness and equity as stated below:

1999: Governor :Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, (Central) Deputy Governor: Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, (East) Speaker: Rt. Hon. Heineken Lokpobi, Chief Peremobowei Ebebi and Boyelayefa Debekeme, (West);

2005: Governor: Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, (East) Deputy Governor: Peremobowei Ebebi, (West), Werinipre Seibarugo (Central);

2007, Governor: Chief Timipre Sylva, (East), Deputy Governor Peremobowei Ebebi, (West), Speaker: Werinipre Seibarugo, (Central.)

Following Ebebi’s impeachment: Governor: Chief Timipre Sylva, (East) Deputy Gov Werinipre Seibarugo, (Central), Speaker : Rt. Hon. Nestor Benabo (West)

2012: Governor: The Honourable Henry Seriake Dickson (West), Deputy Governor: Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah, (East), Speaker Rt. Hon Konbowei Benson, Rt. Hon Tonye Isenah (Central).

The PDP leaders said that the positions of the Governor, Deputy governor and the Speaker had always been shared among the three Senatorial districts stressing that the governor and the speaker are the more powerful of the three.

“We advise party members and the general public not to lose sleep over the issue of the choice of running mate. The party will support any choice made by the candidate.

“Those who wish to to be on the ticket must first contest an election and not play foul politics by spreading blackmail and propaganda.” They added.

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