By John ODHE, YENAGOA
Former governorship aspirant under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State, Mr. Reuben Okoya and his teaming supporters have defected to the newly registered Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
Also joining the NDC is a businessman and politician, Mr. Diepreye Leghemo and his followers as well as a women mobilizer in the PDP, Esther Saiyo and her supporters.
Receiving the defectors on Monday at the party’s state secretariat in Yenagoa, national chairman of the NDC, Senator Moses Cleopas charged them to believe first in the ideology of the founder of the party, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, which is anchored on service to the people before thinking of their political ambitions.
Describing the NDC as the biblical Noah’s Ark for all Nigerians that want good governance, the national chairman forecasted a political war ahead which is not meant for unprepared minds, adding that the founder was thoughtful enough being a man who would not venture into unproductive political investment.
“Don’t be afraid! Political power is not given but contended for. Until they see the power element in you, they won’t give it to you. You must be ready and convinced in your mind that you can take over.
“Senator Seriake Dickson does not invest in a fight that he won’t win. He has invested all his political capital in the NDC and he cannot afford to fail,” Cleopas asserted.
The national chairman described Reuben Okoya as decent, focused, intelligent, incorruptible and willing to serve, pointing out that the lifestyle of the former coordinator, Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC) represents what the NDC stands for.
Earlier in his defection speech, Okoya who is an Architect and a native of Yenagoa Local Government Area of the state, said after his resignation from the PDP, he decided to pitch his political tent with the NDC after much consideration of other parties, emphasizing that the NDC shares same political ideologies with his, with service to the people as local point.
He said he had spent many years serving Bayelsa and Nigeria and would not be tired of doing so as long as he leaves.
Also speaking, Diepreye Leghemo, former House of Representatives aspirant for the Southern Ijaw federal constituency said he would join resources with other members of the party to make the NDC politically formidable ahead of the 2027 election.
The NDC, founded barely three months ago has become a major opposition political party in the country with former presidential candidate of the labour party and former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi and his Obedient Movement as well as former governor of Kano state and former presidential candidate of the New Nigerian People’s Party (NNPP) Musa Rabiu Kwankwaso and other influential politicians across the country now in its fold.
