Our attention have been drawn to a publication in the PUNCH of 13th September, 2015 which alleged that the State executive Council of our party have endorsed me, Preye Aganaba, as a running mate to another Aspirant.
Ordinarily, we would not have responded to this mischievous publication sponsored by those who are obviously yet to unlearn the habits they acquired during their long years in the People’s Democratic Party; knowing that wrestling with a pig in the mud delights it, while one gets soiled. Although, the Preye Aganaba Campaign still do not want to join issues with anyone nor be dragged into the needless bickering and infighting that have characterised the campaigns of certain aspirants for our party’s ticket in the Governorship election, we want to state unambiguously that I am in the Governorship race to win the party ticket and the General election come December 5th.
For the avoidance of doubt, there was no time the party met to endorse me as a running mate to anyone. I am the Candidate to beat in this election, thus, if anything, people should be discussing my running mate, not vice versa.
The SEC met and implored the Party’s delegates to vote for only candidates who have been members of the party before March 28th, when it was not fashionable to be in this state.
Let me also use this opportunity to state that from my experience as a member of the National Convention/Presidential Primary Committee of our great party, no candidate can win the Bayelsa APC Governorship primary by either intimidating, bribing or lodging the delegates in Hotels for 8 days. Those are the anachronistic methods of the PDP we promised Nigerians to change. Thus, it is a shame that some aspirants still rely solely on these crude methods even under the President Buhari presidency.
Let me also assure our Delegates once more that your safety is guaranteed as the entire primary will be conducted by APC National; so you have nothing to fear.
Finally, I ask to be left alone to focus on my issue based campaign aimed at addressing the development questions of the people of Bayelsa State.
I call on all APC members including my fellow Aspirants to remember that the true test before us is the Governorship election on December 5th and not September 19th. So we should not allow our quest for the party’s ticket polarise the party. Let us learn from the sportsmanship that characterised the Primary that brought president Buhari.
Bayelsans are yearning for the CHANGE we have been promising them since I along with 2 others brought the APC to the state in 2013; and will not forgive us if we do otherwise.
Thanks and God bless.
Preye Aganaba,BAYELSA APC Governorship Aspirants
