A former Coordinator, Abuja Metropolitan Management Council and ex-Bayelsa Commissioner for Special Duties, Mr. Reuben Okoya, has denied the claims that he was forced by former President Goodluck Jonathan to withdraw from the Bayelsa State governorship race.
Okoya, who recently pulled out of the race on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party, said he decided to withdraw from the race over what he termed submission to party supremacy and loyalty to friendship.
Okoya, on Wednesday told newsmen that he withdrew from the contest when he read the writing on the wall that his party’s support was tilting towards the incumbent governor, Seriake Dickson.
He stated, “Contrary to the story making the rounds that I was pressurised to withdraw by the former President Goodluck Jonathan or that I was paid money to step down for Governor Seriake Dickson, let it be known that I only respected the publicly stated desire of the party to give its ticket to the incumbent as the person best placed to secure victory for the PDP. I withdrew honourably.
“After due consultations with my teeming supporters and core advisers, I also decided to remain in the PDP to give my support to the party. I refused to defect to another party because of my principled belief and resolve to be a loyal and faithful party man.”
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