Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson on Monday in Abuja said that the recent defection of Chief Timi Alaibe and Senator Heineken Lokpobiri to the All Progressive Congress(APC) was borne out of their desperations to be the Governor of Bayelsa State.
Alaibe was a former Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs.
Dickson, who spoke at the National Security Summit 2015, organized by the Sun Publishing Limited in conjuction with the Nigeria Police Force, lambasted the defectors, describing them as greedy and selfish politicians.
He noted that though they have a right to decamp, it was however, important for the public to know the motive for their defection to the APC, which he said was borne out of their desperation to be next governor of the state.
“Each one of them wants to be the governor and the PDP platform is not available for them to pursue their ambitions.
“So, they are going to the next alternative. The APC is the party that has control of the center and by so doing, positioning themselves for federal appointments, which the PDP and I are not in a position to give to them.
“They are hoping somehow that the federal might by way of security and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) manipulation, will see them into the government house, which is not going to be the case,” Dickson said.
The Governor insisted that he is firmly on the ground in the state, saying that many Bayelsans, who appreciate the achievements of his administration would on the election day, turn out enmasse and vote for him and the PDP.
He said: “We know the antecedents of each and every one of them and we are confident that the people are not with them”.
On chances of his re-election, Dickson expressed deep confidence, stating that having done well in delivering the dividends of democracy to the people, he was sure of getting re-elected for a second term in office.
“I am confident of getting re-elected. Bayelsa is a PDP state and I have done well. It is not me saying it, it is the people of Bayelsa that are saying.
“So, let’s wait to see who their (APC) flagbearer would be against me,” Dickson concluded.
It would be recalled that Timi Alaibe, Col. Sam Inokoba (rtd.), the embattled immediate past chairman of the PDP in Bayelsa, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri and others recently decamped to the APC.
The defectors, were received by the National Chairman of the APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, a rally organized by the APC last Saturday in Yenagoa. .
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