Bayelsa guber: You are ‘push and start president’ – APC chieftain fires back at Jonathan

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goodluck jonathan

Yekini Nabena, Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, APC, on Thursday, described former Goodluck Jonathan as a “push and start president” who never won any election in his home state of Bayelsa.

Nabena stated this in reaction to remark credited to Jonathan that APC in Bayelsa State lacked political presence at the wards, local government and state levels to win the state governorship election slated for November 16.

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Speaking during the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Elders’ Advisory Council meeting at Government House, Yenagoa, Jonathan had said a large number of governorship aspirants on the platform of the PDP indicated the dominance of the party as the preferred platform for election. 

However, Nabena, while speaking with reporters in Abuja, cautioned Jonathan against making misguided comments.

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Nabena said: “Jonathan is attempting to rewrite history on presidential elections conducted under his watch in Bayelsa state while he was president. He never won as votes never counted. Aided by security agents, election results were simply announced by the election body in favour of the PDP.

“Former President Goodluck Jonathan even lost in his senatorial zone in the last 2019 National Assembly election won by the APC candidate. So, one wonders the party Jonathan was referring to as not being on ground in Bayelsa state, he was a push and start president.

“The media will recall that under Governor Seriake Dickson’s watch, 63 Smart Card Readers belonging to INEC were stolen and later retrieved. Also, I had earlier called on the Inspector General of Police to proscribe the state-controlled security outfit, Operation Doo Akpo following security reports indicating that the state government was plotting violence by flooding the state with arms ahead of the 2019 polls. That threat is still active as Bayelsa state prepares for the governorship election.

“It is clear that no amount of falsehood and rigging can stop PDP’s imminent defeat in the forthcoming governorship election. The PDP has become very unpopular and stands rejected in Bayelsa state.”

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Bayelsa guber: What Goodluck Jonathan told Aspirant Okara

Former President, Goodluck Jonathan has urged a Bayelsa governorship aspirant, Kemela Okara, to bring to bear his wealth of experience if elected as governor in the November gubernatorial election.

Jonathan said this when Okara visited him at his Yenagoa residence on Wednesday night, to formally inform him of his desire to run for the office of governor in the Nov. 16 election.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the primaries for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will hold on September 3, while the gubernatorial election will hold on November 16.

The visit by Okara to Jonathan was part of his statewide consultations with critical stakeholders in Bayelsa ahead of the gubernatorial election.

Jonathan, who is the immediate past president of Nigeria, expressed confidence in Okara’s capabilities as a two-time Commissioner for Trade Industry and Investments and former SSG, to run the state competently.

“As the immediate past secretary to the state government and from your exposure as a lawyer in Lagos, the commercial nerve centre of the nation, I expect you to perform well as a governor.

“Just know that my doors are open anytime you wish to see me for counsel and consultations,” the former president said.

Earlier, Okara thanked Jonathan for finding time to host him and his entourage amid his busy schedule.

“Your Excellency, there is no way that I will not seek your blessings as I strive to run for the office of the governor.

“I came to you because of your wealth of experience and rich political pedigree.

“It is for this singular reason that I have come to inform you of my desire to contest for the office of the governor of Bayelsa State and for your blessing,” Okara said.

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