By Sampson Boroh
The former senator representing Bayelsa East Senatorial District at the National Assembly, Senator Nimi Barigha-Amange has dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Barigha-Amange, a founding member of PDP in Bayelsa, announced his resignation, and subsequent defection to the ruling APC in a letter addressed to the National Chairman of the ruling party, Mr Adams Oshiomhole on Wednesday.
The former lawmaker represented Bayelsa East Senatorial District between 2007 and 2011 on the PDP platform.
It was gathered that the senator had been involved in irreconcilable differences with his state governor, Mr Seriake Dickson over the forthcoming governorship election in the state.
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The Bayelsa politician blamed Governor Dickson’s autocratic and highhandedness as the reason for his defection from PDP, saying that he was joining the APC with his team of supporters across the state.
A copy of intention letter to joined the APC was submitted to the Acting National Secretary of APC, Victor Giadom, in Abuja on Wednesday.
According to the former lawmaker, “When I was in PDP, we were enslaved by only one man who regarded himself as emperor. There were no political activities there even if you want to be a Councillor. The 105 councillors were nominated by him. The eight chairmen were nominated by him, so, I cannot be part.
“I was one of the founding fathers of PDP in Bayelsa State. I did not join the PDP, I took part in the formation of PDP here in August 1998 and I have been there since. But I have never seen this kind of authoritarian rule.
“So, I have decided to pitch my tent with a party that can uproot this bottom from the ground, so that, Bayelsans will be freed, and I promise you, Bayelsans will be freed come November 16, 2019.”
He boasted that APC will take over the state in the November 2019 governorship election in the state, adding that with the current reality on ground in the state, PDP has lost the election.
“Today, I can tell you that the candidate of APC, David Lyon, comes from Southern Ijaw LG. That is the Local government with the highest voting strength. Definitely, that Local government is for APC. I come from Nembe LG and by my joining APC, Nembe has fallen into the hands of APC.
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“Brass is where Timipre Sylva comes from and Brass normally is for APC. And I also assisted APC in winning my own Senatorial district in the last election. I also assisted APC in winning House of Representatives seat during February election. So, those three LGs are gone and we can give Kolokuma/Opokuma, the smallest LG to PDP because their candidate is from there.
“Then, the Sagbama Local Government Area where the present governor comes from will be donated to the present governor because his running mate is from Sagbama LG.
“Where the governor comes from, is where he picks running mate to PDP candidate. The question is, what will other LGs do? We can still donate that to him, so, we are taking three, they are taking two. The remaining LGs is 50/50”, Barigha-Amange revealed.
