Success indeed comes with many friends and followers, hence, the recent victory recorded by the All Progressive Congress (APC) in the just concluded March 28 and April 11, 2015 general elections had attracted two former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors in Bayelsa State to contest on the platform of the APC come 2016 gubernatorial poll.
Nigerian Watch on Wednesday reported that Diepreye Alamieyeseigha and Timipre Sylva are among several candidates preparing to participate in the state’s governorship election scheduled for February, 2016.
Impeached Governor of Bayelsa State, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha intending to contest in 2016 on the platform of APC
Meanwhile, Bayelsa is one of Nigeria’s seven states with its own electoral calendar due to past cancellations of polls and it did not elect a governor last weekend.
It was gathered that with the general elections concluded the two major parties in the country; PDP and the APC have started looking towards next year’s polls in the state.
Other candidates interested in running for the state’s number seat include Timi Alaibe, a former managing director, Niger Delta Development Commission and the former Bayelsa State commissioner for health Frank Akpoebi.
Also in the race are said to comprise the permanent secretary in the ministry of power, Godknow Igali, and APC state chairman Tiwe Oruminighe.
Former Governor of Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva
It was also learnt that the Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, is the one that advised Preye Aganaba, who recently lost his senatorial bid to go for the party’s governorship ticket.
Alameseigha, who was impeached and jailed for corruption is said to be considering seeking the APC ticket.
One Bayelsa State source said: “Alamieseigha is eyeing the governorship seat and his plan is to make a grand return to the seat of power in 2016. To this end, he has been holding a series of meetings with some APC stalwarts. He is assuring the APC leadership that with him as governor, the militants will feel comfortable. He is saying that the incumbent governor is not liked by ex-militants, citing the clash between the governor and ex-militants over pipeline contracts.”
However, there has been apprehension that the Niger Delta militants may take up arms again and return to the creeks following President Goodluck Jonathan’s defeat at the just concluded March 28, 2015, presidential election, therefore, Alameseigha is optimistic that his influence with the warlords, will guarantee his victory by claiming that he is the only one who can keep the peace in the region.
President Jonathan, who was a deputy governor to Alameseigha, took over his job as governor after the later was impeached. President Jonathan subsequently granted him a pardon on assuming the presidency. He was considered a close ally of Mr. President.
Alameseigha was expected to contest for senate in the last general elections on the platform of the PDP, but it appears that he has decided to dump the PDP following its defeat in the just concluded elections which has made it lose popularity. He intends to challenge incumbent governor Seriake Dickson on the platform of the APC.
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