Former Commissioners for Transport and Sports under the administration of Governor Seriake Dickson, Mrs. Marie Ebikake and Ebikitin Diongoli have vowed to make sure their former boss and incumbent governor of the state does not return for second term.
While stating that they would do anything to stop him, they said Dickson’s candidature will spell doom for Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, stressing that the party would lose woefully if the governor is allowed to re-contest the December 5 election.
Ebikake and Diongoli spoke on Tuesday under the auspices of PDP Unity Forum.
Ebikake, coordinator, PDP Unity Forum, said the indignation of Bayelsans had grown under Dickson as he had failed the people and lacked foresight to govern the state again.
Ebikake, who was removed from office for alleged closeness to former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, also gave insight into what transpired during their meeting with PDP’s Board of Trustees in former President Goodluck Jonathan’s residence in Otuoke.
She said during the meeting, Dickson and former governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha were barred from participating because it was not meant for reconciliation.
She also corrected the insinuation in some quarters that she and other members of the forum were either expelled or suspended, saying that there was no time they were sanctioned by the party.
Ebikake, who commended the Board of Trustees, BOT members for intervening in the crisis in Bayelsa PDP, admitted that prior to their intervention PDP was divided because of Dickson’s alleged highhandedness and manipulation.
She said it was such division and crises that led to the formation of Unity Forum within PDP with a view to uniting members.
On his part, Diongolo said members of the forum were bent on preventing Dickson from flying PDP’s flag in the state and reiterated that if by any chance the party gave him its ticket, PDP stood to lose the governorship poll.
He dismissed insinuation that BoT meeting with members of Unity Forum was called by Dickson to reconcile members.
Concerning the PDP Acting chairman, Chief Serena Dokubo-Spiff, the former sports commissioner said members of the party had never recognised him.
Describing Dokubo-Spiff as an impostor, Diongoli said Col. Sam Inokoba (retd.) remained the authentic and substantive Bayelsa PDP chairman.
But a source from Government House, who did not want his name mentioned, said it was sad that Ebikake who allegedly ran down her ministry could crititicise Dickson for non-performance.
The source said Ebikake would soon be facing Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for alleged mismanagement of the state’s Restoration cabs project running into millions of naira.
