Sack of Bayelsa PDP chairman threatens Sylva's re-election bid

THERE are indications that the removal of the former chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa, Chief Dairus Obiene, would have negative effects on the struggle by the incumbent governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Timipre Sylva, to secure the party's governorship ticket.Investigation by the Nigerian Tribune revealed that the governor, who lobbied spiritedly for Obiene to retain his job as part of the grand plan to win the PDP primary slated for November 19, 2011 became worried as the party's National Working Committee (NWC) approved the appointment of James Dugo as the substantive chairman ahead of the February 2012 governorship poll.The tenure of the former state chairman was characterised by bickering and series of complaints by PDP major stakeholders and members, regarding lopsidedness in the party's hierarchy.President Goodluck Jonathan, Governor Sylva and Obiene are from Bayelsa East Senatorial District, a development which generated ill feelings within the party members in Bayelsa.Authoritative source in the PDP informed the Nigerian Tribune that the decision of the NWC to ratify the appointment of Mr James Dugo, on Tuesday, in Abuja had terribly rattled the camp of the governor's loyalists against the forthcoming primary election.The source further hinted that Sylva had approached elder statesmen from the Niger Delta region and Amanyanabo of Nembe Kingdom, Edmund Daukoru, the leadership of Ijaw National Congress (INC), Bayelsa Founding Fathers Forum, Bayelsa Elders Forum and paramount ruler of President Goodluck Jonathan's Otuoke community, HRH Lot Ogiasa, to prevail on the president to give him a chance.
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