‘Bayelsa PDP Crisis Angers Jonathan’

Taiwo Adisa, Abuja - 08.03.2008

Bayelsa State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Hon. Fred Agbedi, has said that the crisis rocking the state chapter of the party has angered the Vice President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, who he said had, however, decided to play a fatherly role in resolving the imbroglio.

Agbedi, who spoke to newsmen in Abuja on Friday, said that the decision of a faction of the party loyal to Governor Timipre Sylva to hold a state congress against the decision of the expanded state caucus which included the Vice President, was an affront not only on the nation’s number two man but also the leader who held the meeting.

He said that the Vice President was displeased that the agreement reached at the February 18 meeting which adopted the incumbent state executive of the party for another two years was being challenged through the congress held by loyalists of the governor.

“Naturally, he is unhappy with that development; but he has stated that as a father, he prefers to talk to all of us so as to resolve all issues amicably,” Agbedi said.

He also stated that the congress said to have been conducted in Yenagoa was illegal. According to him, there was no basis for the congress as there were no ward and local government congresses that should give rise to the congress.

He regretted that Governor Sylva had unilaterally rescinded the agreement of February 18 without recourse to the Vice President.

“Stakeholders met and agreed, but the State Governor unilaterally reneged on the agreement reached. It is not proper to renege on agreement reached at a meeting with the Vice-President in attendance,” he further stated.

Agbedi also stated that there was no imbalance in the configuration of the party in Bayelsa State.