From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
A founding member of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State, Chief Reginald Dede from Akassa Clan in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State has dumped the party to back the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 elections.
Dede, a political associate of the Minister of State for Petroleum, Chief Timipre Sylva said he is dumping the PDP over neglect.
According to him, he has decided to back the PDP candidate for the Nembe/ Brass Federal constituency, Mrs Maria Ebikake because his people need development.
Speaking during a meeting convened on New Year eve at Bou- Ama community in Akassa and which had in attendance, Ebikake, members of the community Development Committee( CDC) and youth presidents of the 19 autonomous communities, Dede lamented that his contributions to APC as a founding father has not been able to attract federal presence to Akassa.
He assured that by throwing his weight behind Mrs Ebikake, the PDP would come out victorious in the election.
Mrs Waripamo Waribo who spoke on behalf of Akassa women recalled how the women were beneficiaries of Mrs Ebikake’s empowerment scheme when she was Chairman of Brass Local Government Council.
She noted that her exemplary conduct as the Council Chairman informed the decision of the women to back her and the PDP.
Mrs Ebikake in her remarks promised to attract capital projects to Akassa as well as ensure qualified people from Akassa get employment at the state and federal levels.
Ebikake, who stated that she was still grieving the loss of her brother, Senator Inatimi Rufus Spiff, noted that the visit to Akassa was to demonstrate the importance of the Akassa clan.
However the APC has dismissed Dede’s endorsement of Ebikake, stressing that it cannot stop the victory of the APC in the 2023 elections.
A chieftain of the party, Palimote Botugs Jacob in an interview said the decision of Dede to leave the APC was one of the best decisions as his continued presence in the party has made many people uncomfortable.
Botugs, who is a legislative aide to the House of Representatives member representing Nembe / Brass Federal Constituency, Hon Israel Sunny- Goli, said Dede no longer has any political relevance in Akassa.
According to him, due to Dede’s high handedness and lack of consultation with other stakeholders, members of the party that have been at the receiving end of his dictatorial tendencies have since dumped him.
Botugs declared that the APC in Akassa was intact and the party would demonstrate its strength by returning the APC to the Green Chambers.