ODAHIEKWU OGUNDE, YENAGOA
Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has inaugurated the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) reconciliation committee in the state with a mandate to reconcile aggrieved members after the party’s recent House of Assembly and National Assembly primary elections.
Diri formed the committee during a meeting with candidates that emerged winners from the primaries, other aspirants as well as the party leadership in Government House, Yenagoa, a statement by his media aide, Daniel Alabrah, said on Wednesday.
The governor stressed that having concluded the primaries, it was necessary for all members to close ranks and work for the victory of the party in the 2023 general elections.
Diri congratulated all the candidates and party officials for the successful conduct of the primary elections and urged the flagbearers to be humble.
He stressed the need for them (candidates) to reach out to their opponents to ensure that they work harmoniously for the party to win all the state and national assembly seats in the elections.
Diri said: “We are inaugurating the reconciliation committee, which is a standing committee, as enshrined in the constitution of our party. It is to address fallouts and the outcome of our party’s primaries and see how best we can continue to remain as a party and put our best foot forward to ensure we are victorious come 2023.
“Our candidates have work to do. You all need to be humble. Please embrace your opponents. Your ability to win them over makes you a better politician because they might be the rock to salvage you.”
The Chairman of the reconciliation committee is Senator Rufus Inatimi-Spiff. Mr Austin Lugbenwei is to serve as his deputy while Hon. Victor Vianana is to serve as the Secretary.
Other members are Chief Theophilus Moses, Dr. Andrew Ebakpa, Prof. Tarilah Tebepah, Chief Bright Erewari, Hon, Elliot Osomu, Rtd Maj. Zedekiah Isu, Dr. Ayakeme Whiskey, Hon. James Agari, Dr. Godwin Ziriki, Elder Adolphus Forcados, Mr Natus Zebakeme, Mr Francis Ikio and one female each to represent the three senatorial districts.
Diri, who described members of the committee as credible and very senior officials of the party, charged them to approach their assignment with the utmost responsibility to unite the party.
While expressing gratitude to aspirants that voluntarily withdrew from the primaries, the governor announced the reinstatement of those who resigned their appointments to contest and urged them to support their candidates.
He further said: “The umbrella is big enough to accommodate all those who did not make it in the primaries.
“I like you to join forces with them. Out of the 24 state House of Assembly seats, we need to take back the remaining four. Be reconciliatory in your approach to also win the federal constituency seats.”
The governor also charged the candidates to shun politics of violence and thuggery, urging them to sensitize voters.
Responding on behalf of the committee members, the Chairman, Senator Rufus Inatimi-Spiff, thanked the governor for the confidence reposed in them and assured him that they would carry out their mandate with utmost responsibility.
