Aspirants jostling for the ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2023 general election in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State have formally presented themselves to leaders and stakeholders of the area.
At a meeting convened by the leadership of the Ogbia caucus led by Chief Innocent Afagha, the aspirants took turns to declare their interest for the various positions.
Among them were the Chief of Staff Government House Yenagoa, Chief Benson Agadaga, a former Executive Secretary of the Federal Character Commission, Barr. Rex Jude Ogbuku and a retired senior Police officer, Chief Nyenami Odual who all declared their interest for the party’s senatorial ticket.
Others who declared for the party’s House of Representatives ticket, were a former Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, a serving lawmaker in the state assembly, Chief Mietema Obodor, chairman Ogbia Local Government Council, Hon. Ebinyo Turner and the incumbent, Hon. Fred Obua.
All the three senatorial aspirants hail from Ogbia Constituency 3, where it has been zoned to while three out of the four House of Representatives aspirants are from Ogbia Constituency 1, where it has also been zoned except the incumbent who is seeking a second term.
In his remarks, the chairman of the caucus, Chief Afagha said the gathering was at the instance of the leader of the party, Senator Douye Diri, who directed all the eight local government area caucuses to meet with aspirants as part of measures to prevent heating up the polity.
He stated that the meeting was therefore meant to give opportunities to interested aspirants who wish to contest the various elective offices in Ogbia to do so.
Afagha assured that they are determined to put in place a transparent process that will see to the emergence of candidates who are sellable to the electorates.
According to him, electable candidates
will be recommended to the leadership of the PDP to fly the party’s flag in the general elections, adding that where it is possible, aspirants will be asked to step down for a consensus candidate to emerge but should that fail, the aspirants will be made to slug it out at the party primaries.
One of the leading aspirants for the Ogbia Federal Constituency seat, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, commended the caucus for the way and manner they have conducted the process and urged them to look deep and settle for only the best.
He said the PDP can only win elections with popular and acceptable candidates and such people should not be sacrificed for sentimental reasons, as that will be a terrible mistake that will cost the party a lot at the polls.
Iworiso-Markson, reiterated that he was in the race because of his believe in offering the best representation for the people of Ogbia and that he will do if given the opportunity.
Over ten aspirants also declared their intention for the three state house of assembly seats in the local government.
