Youths Protest Over Disqualification of Former Bayelsa Speaker, Others
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BAYELSA STATE: Following the disqualification of the former Speaker and Leader of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Rt Hon. Monday Bolo-Bubou, youths from the three Local Government Areas that made up the Bayelsa Central Senatorial District staged a protest to express their displeasure.
The senatorial district, which is made up of Southern Ijaw, Yenagoa and Kolokuma/Opokuma is billed to have bye election to fill the vacant position that was left by the current governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri.
The former Speaker had indicated his interest to vie for the position on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the forthcoming bye election. Obolou , and others were however disqualified from the race.
Others disqualified are the former Secetary to the Bayelsa State Government, Chief Gideon Ekowe and a former Director-General of the Bayelsa State Geographical Integrated Service(BGIS), Surv. Igo Assembly Goin.
Our correspondent gathered that the PDP screening Committee reportedly disqualified the three Senatorial aspirants to allow the lone aspiration of the immediate past State Chairman of the PDP, Cleopas Moses.
The protesting party supporters accused the immediate former Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson of alleged manipulation of the screening to allow him fulfil the gentleman promise made to Cleopas Moses during the controversy that trailed the emergence of Senator Douye Diri as the Governorship candidate of the party last year.
It was gathered that the former Speaker, and now, the Leadership of the State Assembly, Rt. Hon. Monday Obolo bobou was disqualified for non-proper membership of the PDP.
Chief Gideon Ekowe, who is believed to be favourite of Gov. Douye Diri, was disqualified for not possessing a valid passport photograph on his expression of interest form, while Surv. Igo Assembly Goin for alleged low performance in the activities of the party in the State.
The aggrieved supporters of Ekowe and Obolo, armed with placards, called for a party primaries and declared that the leadership of the PDP in the State belong to Governor Douye Diri not the immediate past Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson.
Carrying placards with various inscription, over one hundreds youths who are also members of the PDP and supporters of Obolou, frowned at the decision of the party’s leadership.
