The Peoples Democratic Party in Bayelsa State has chastised the All Progressives Congress in the state, for attacking former President Goodluck Jonathan over personal comments he made during a visit to Governor Douye Diri last Friday.
The PDP in a statement issued by its Publicity Secretary, Mr. Ebiye Ogoli on Monday, accused the APC of twisting Jonathan’s comments to pour out its frustrations after woefully losing the November 11 governorship election in the state.
According to Ogoli, out of the candidates of 16 political parties that contested the election, the APC had to misappropriate Dr Jonathan’s comment as if it was directed at the party or its candidate, Chief Timipre Sylva.
The statement read in part: ‘’For emphasis, the former president never mentioned the APC nor its candidate throughout the visit.
‘’Since his forthright comment appeared in the media, the APC and its array of faceless, contemptible, lick-spittle groups have been inconsolable, acting like a forcefully weaned baby.
‘’Placed in proper context, Dr. Jonathan’s comment alluded to and reflected the peace, security and stability that Bayelsa State has witnessed under the Governor Diri administration, which is a fact generally acknowledged by residents of the state.
“The Bayelsa APC so-called leaders and groups, who are lackeys of the party’s governorship candidate, continue to make themselves a laughing stock for their intemperate and disrespectful tirades against Nigeria’s icon of democracy.
‘’If anyone is suffering any sort of frustration or mental crisis, it is the Bayelsa APC and its candidate that are yet to come to terms with the shellacking they got on November 11.
‘’We advise them to lick their wounds with some decorum and not misdirect their anger towards an innocent statesman who spoke truth from his heart. Even beyond Bayelsa, the violent character and disposition of the Bayelsa APC leaders and their candidates in the last election is well-known and documented.
If Bayelsans had any fear, it was that the state might return to the infamous days of Famou Tangbe, cultism, cult wars attacks on political opponents etc. if Governor Diri was not re-elected.
‘’So, the electorate was not only determined to protect their votes but to also ensure that the governor was returned to Creek Haven. The final result was the true reflection of the mindset of Bayelsans and what they indeed wanted. The outpouring of celebration and congratulatory messages equally confirmed this. We wonder why Sylva and his cohorts quarrel with this truth.
‘’Our party again uses this opportunity to appreciate former President Jonathan for his gracious endorsement and unflinching support for our candidate as well as the Bayelsa people for standing solidly behind the PDP and the Prosperity Administration.’’
