Okoya dumps PDP as Jonathan endorses Dickson

NEDU MARK, Yenagoa

A governorship aspirant in the forthcoming Bayelsa State elections, Reuben Okoya has pulled out of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), shortly after ex President Goodluck Jonathan endorsed Governor Seriake Dickson for a second term.

Okoya had purchased the PDP Governorship elections Expression of Interest and Nomination form prior to his decision to pull out of the party in order to actualise his governorship ambitions under another platform.

A source close to the former Bayelsa State Commissioner for Special Duties cited “injustice, lack of fair play and bias as well as absence of a level playing field’ as reasons for his decision.

Chairman, PDP Governors’ Forum, Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State also spoke in support of Dickson which may have influenced Okoya’s decision to seek another platform to actualise his ambition.

Governor Dickson and other PDP stakeholders including former governor, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha had also appealed against ethnic sentiment saying that supporting the incumbent was an Ijaw agenda.

Their open support came even as the party is yet to hold its primary election to choose the flag bearer which Okoya’s group sees as contrary to the virtue of fairness heading into the poll.

However, it is not clear what platform he will choose to launch his ambition although there are indications that he may opt for the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) or the Labour Party (LP).

Okoya’s governorship ambition soared in recent weeks following growing support due to online efforts of the Reuben Okoya Support Organisation (ROKSO) and groundwork by a non-governmental organisation, the Bayelsa Democracy and Development Initiative (BDDI).