From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa

Governorship ambition of the candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC), Timipre Sylva, received a boost atr the weekend as key chieftains of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State, including the party’s Youth Leader, Nunieh Odede, have dumped the party’s governorship candidate and the state Governor, Douye Diri, to join the APC.

Nunieh, in a handwritten letter, yesterday, announced his resignation from the PDP while other principal aides of the governor vacated their offices to campaign for Sylva.

A statement signed, yesterday, by Sylva’s Special Adviser, Media and Publicity, Julius Bokoru, confirmed that Nunieh met with the APC candidate.

Nunieh, in a meeting with Sylva, said his decision and others to leave the PDP was hinged on the need to change the development trajectory of the Epie- Atissa people. 

“We have spent years with the PDP and we built the party to where it is. It is imperative we move on now in light of what is happening in the state.

“Bayelsa is in a comatose state and we cannot keep doing the old things and expect to get it right. Our resignation from the PDP, honestly, is to save our dear state from further ruin,” he said.

Sylva was quoted to have commended the courage of Nunieh and other defectors, who chose the progress and development of the state over selfish gains.

“Youths are always the driving force of every society, youths also embodies and gives a trajectory of what the future would look like.’

“Your decisions today is heroic and selfless, you have placed state over self and beyond even the elections, you instil in us all that Bayelsa state is bound to do well,” Sylva said.

The statement listed those that left the Diri’s government for Sylva as Abiah Joseph Oyisor, director Bayelsa State Environmental Authority; Ayaye Obuma, governor’s representative, Yenagoa Local Government Area, Itu Goodluck, special adviser, special duties to the governor;  Timipa Ile, special adviser, special duties to the governor and Olali Suwofien, special adviser, special duties.

The statement said their resignation from the PDP and endorsement of APC and Sylva, the defectors would be received in a formal endorsement ceremony with thousands of their supporters.