It was a big relief for the camp of the Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson following the reported settlement of the rift between the governor, former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan and other stakeholders.
Before now there had been a cold war between the camps of Dickson and the former First Lady, a development which sources claimed was partly responsible for her resigning her position as a permanent secretary in the state civil service even though she was not assigned any portfolio.
A number of factors sources told Vanguard had worked in favour of the Dickson in spite of the stiff opposition from Dame Patience camp.
The former First Lady, reports had alleged, was vehemently opposed to Dickson’s second term bid and was reportedly propping up her aide to dislodge the incumbent from Creek Haven.
It was, however, gathered that several Peoples Democratic Party chieftains in the state intervened on behalf of Dickson and impressed it on Patience why she should throw her weight behind the governor and support his return.
A close source to the former First Family who was privy to the peace deal said, “she (Dame Patience) was told that her continued animosity towards the governor could cost the PDP the governorship on December 5, a move that could open the doors for the All Progressives Congress (APC) to disgrace former President Goodluck Jonathan by taking over the state.”
“She agreed and consequently directed her political associates, being coordinated by the former Senior Special Assistant to Jonathan on Domestic Affairs, Dr Waripamowei Dudafa, to work for Dickson and the PDP.
“In politics, there is unity in diversity. People disagree to agree. It was not a hidden fact that Governor Dickson was at loggerheads with Dame Jonathan. But it is also true that, by human nature, she may not have supported Dickson.
The pioneer civilian governor of the state, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeigha was said to have played a major role in thawing the ice between Dame Patience and Dickson.
Alamieyeseigha who is fondly referred to as the ‘Governor General’ by his Ijaw kinsmen and respected by the former first family was said to have done much of the troubleshooting on behalf of Dickson alongside some other prominent Ijaw elders and succeeded in wooing Dame to support the governor in the interest of the PDP, a party that launched her to limelight and fame.
Alamieyeseigha preceded her husband as governor of the state and was instrumental to launching her husband’s political career.
Aside the elders led by Alamieyeseigha, some concerned young politicians from the PDP also met in Yenagoa to further unite the contending forces within the party with a view to presenting a formidable front against anti-PDP forces ahead of the governorship election in the state.
Peace meeting
The meeting, which led to the formation of a group known as the PDP Integrity group, according to a source, was set up to unite the leaders of the party and put an end to cases of defection as recently noticed within the ranks of the party in the state.
Prominent among members of the new group it was learnt, are former State PDP Chairman and former Commissioner for Local Government, Deacon James Dugo, Hon. Ferdison Agada, a former State Assembly aspirant and Kingdom Blessing.
Others include Mrs. Julie Okenarhe, Embiowe Tonworitimi and Comrade Timi Gbendo.
Meantime, political observers in the predominant riverine state are of the view that the sudden u-turn by the former First lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, may prove to be the masterstroke and the needed boost for Dickson to bolster his camp and support base.
Jonathan’s influence
Dame Jonathan’s influence as apolitical juggernaut cannot be overstated. She is a political actor that has over the years garnered large followership from the women folk upon whom she has impacted so much, especially through skills acquisition, and other empowerment initiatives.
Even as the First Lady in Abuja, she was constantly in touch with the women folk back home who loved and cherished her irrespective of the nuances alleged by her political rivals in Abuja and at home.
However, her support for Dickson may not be pleasant news to some people particularly her loyalists who had fallen out with Dickson.
If the reconciliation is anything to go by, it means the likes of Mrs. Marie Ebikake, a dogged fighter and former commissioner for transport under the Dickson administration and one of the leading voices in the Unity Forum a group within the PDP opposed to Dickson would now have to lay down the gauntlet.
Mrs. Ebikake was removed from office because of her alleged closeness to the former First Lady and had been at war with the governor ever since.
The PDP Unity Forum had blamed the crisis in the party on the alleged highhandedness and manipulation of the governor warning that the party would lose should the incumbent be given the ticket to fly the party flag in the forthcoming governorship poll.
Some other loyalists of the former First Lady including, the state leaders of the defunct Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria, (TAN) led by former acting Governor Seibarugu Werenipre, and other former lawmakers and political appointees had penultimate week formally declared for the APC.
It is said in some circles that should they now recant and go back to the PDP that they could be ensnared in the near future.
From all indications, the latest development has further aggravated the political uncertainty in the state, with the parties’ primary elections just around the corner. It is expected that the political actors may have to re-align with the new interest and there could be some compromise on the part of some politicians who had hitherto ditched Dickson.
Dame Patience Jonathan is a great mobiliser and is respected by the womenfolk many of whom she has empowered through her women for change initiative.
By Samuel Oyadongha
By Samuel Oyadongha
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