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Thu, Mar

Contenders Intensify Battle for Bayelsa Governorship Election

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Though the feeling race to succeed Governor Seriake Dickson will not be an easy one, political analysts say it may likely be the most difficult election for the ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, which is still struggling to recover from the defeat it suffered during the National Assembly elections.

 

Suggestions revolved on the PDP may go into the governorship election as a disadvantaged party, due to the ongoing cold war between ex-President Goodluck Jonathan and his estranged godson, Governor Seriake Dickson.

However, the race for who to succeed the governor is crowded with heavyweight aspirants from across party lines.

Keniebi Okoko, a Harvard trained businessman and industrialist.

He is well a known person in Bayelsa state but not in the political circle, and also as one of the illustrious sons of the state who have carved a niche for himself in the business world.

Okoko hail from Gbarain-Ekpetiama community of the state, which has never produced a governor.

He is coming to the race with an idea of developing the state and creating an enabling atmosphere for business to thrive.

Also, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri who is the immediate past Minister of State for Agriculture; two-time senator and pioneer Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly.

He appears to be favourable to fly the ticked of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Lokpobiri is a household name in Bayelsa politics, largely because of his achievements as the speaker of the state assembly.

He enjoys grassroots support.

Senator Emmanuel Paulker is also a founding member of PDP in Bayelsa State, and close ally of former President Jonathan.

He was the Commissioner for Lands and Housing in the state, and later got elected as senator in 2007, where he spent 12 years in the National Assembly.

Chief Preye Aganaba An Abuja-based businessman.

Aganaba is vying for governorship position under the platform of APC.

He is a household name and also has the muscle and support base to wrestle power from the PDP led government if given the APC ticket.

Recently, a political group, the Kimisese Mass Movement has been rooting for him to run for the top job, saying as a founding member of the party and his overwhelming influence in the state, he will be able to defeat whoever the PDP fields as their candidate.

Timi Alaibe a former Managing Director (MD) of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) who hails from Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of the state.

He is very influential in the politics of the state; he is popularly called ‘The Principal.’

But one thing against him is his frequent movement from one party to the other.

In 2011, Alaibe left PDP to Labour Party to contest the governorship position.

He abandoned it in 2015 for APC but couldn’t secure its nomination.

Chief Timipre Sylva a former governor of the state and leader of APC, he is seeking a return to the Creek Haven, Bayelsa government seat of power, where he left over 7 years ago.

He is very popular in the politics of the state and a greater number of people still love and support him.

Sylva brought the idea of Amnesty for Niger Delta militants to the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, the idea that paved the way for sustained peace to the entire region.

But Sylva will still have the first hurdle to contend with in the person of Senator Lokpobiri.

Benson Agadaga Agadaga is a former Commissioner for Information under Jonathan administration as governor of Bayelsa State.

He has been in the politics of the state right from its creation.

Many believe that he is being sponsored by the ex-president to become the next governor of the state.

He enjoys the support of the people due to his closeness with the masses.

Other contestants in the coming November 2019 governorship race include the current Secretary to Bayelsa Government, Kemela Okara; Architect Reuben Okoya, a former Permanent Secretary; Amb. Godknows Igali; Hon. Fred Agbedi, Dodie Week, Dr Nimibofa Ayawei, Dennis Sami and a currently serving House of Representatives member, Prof Steve Azaiki.

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