Ebebi, Ebifemowei Pick APC Tickets For Bayelsa West, Central Senate Bye- elections

Chief Peremobowei Ebebi

Chief Abel Ebifemowei

Former Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Peremobowei Ebebi and former Transport Officer (T.O.) Chief Abel Ebifemowei have picked up heckets of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the forthcoming Bayelsa West and Central Senatorial Districts bye-elections respectively.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had in February, this year, declared the two red chamber seats vacant following the Supreme Court victory of the former occupants, Senator Douye Diri and Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo who are now governor and deputy governor of Bayelsa State respectively.

Declaring the results of the primary elections at the APC state secretariat in Yenagoa, the state capital, chairman of the election committee, Gen. Dahiru Abdulsalam (rtd) said Ebebi polled a total of 10,633 votes to defeat Capt. Matthew Karimo and Kemelayefa Omonibeke to clinch the West senatorial flag.

On his part, Ebifemowei, popularly called Osuo, scored 24,700 votes to defeat four other candidates including Amb. Boladei Igali, former chairman of Southern Ijaw local government area, Chief Tiwei Orunimighe, former House of Reps member, Henry Ofongo and Barr. Festus Daumiebi.

Responding, Ebebi, while thanking the leadership and members of the APC for giving him the ticket, said he joined the race in order to meet the enormous needs of the people of Bayelsa West which, according to him, had suffered lack of effective representation at the national assembly over the years.

“I thank the members of my senatorial district and the entire APC family for their massive support. They should expect good representation at the red chambers of the Nigerian parliament.

“I thank the leader of the party, Chief Timipre Sylva, my former boss and still my leader; and other leaders of our party in ensuring that the whole process was ending successfully. To my fellow aspirants, l appreciate them. They are worthy aspirants but it’s God that chooses, it’s God that gives power. Today is our day, and we expect their cooperation.

“The people of Bayelsa West should know that voting for me is not a waste. Their developmental needs, which are enormous, are going to be met by way of effective legislation,” he said.

Also responding, Ebifemowei equally thanked Chief Sylva and the leadership of the party for ensuring a smooth process that brought about his emergence, calling on other aspirants to work with him for the collective victory of the party at the general election on October 31.

Speaking earlier during the primary election at Ward 9 in Amassoma, Southern Ijaw local government council, where he described the process as fair and peaceful, Ebifemowei enthused that he would clinch the party ticket and go ahead to win the general election due to his popularity.

“By the special grace of God, when I win the Bayelsa Central Senatorial seat on October 31, l have a quantum of ideas to support and develop my people who have been neglected over the years.

“When I win, by the grace of God, l am not going to be Senator for Bayelsa Central alone but for the Ijaw Nation,” Ebifemowei, added.