By Nuel Suji, Abuja.
Some members of the Peoples Democratic Party in Bayelsa state under the aegis of, “Save Bayelsa PDP Forum”, on Tuesday, protested against an alleged expulsion move against Senator Emmanuel Paulker and some leaders of the party in the state over alleged anti-party activities.
The group at a news conference in Abuja, cautioned the PDP leaders against actions that could promote disharmony among the PDP family in Bayelsa State.
Their spokesperson, Mr. Peretime Newman, specifically drew attention of the national leadership of the PDP to the “unhealthy developments in Bayelsa PDP.”
He said the move could worsen the chances of the PDP in the 2016 governorship election in the state, if not immediately halted.
It will be recalled that the PDP in Bayelsa had on Tuesday set up a panel to investigate allegations of anti-party activities against Paulker, particularly, as it affected the performance of the party in the last elections.
The panel which is headed by the Bayelsa state Deputy governor, was given two weeks to submit preliminary report.
Other members of the panel include the PDP chairman in the state, Serene Dokubo Spiffy who serves as the panel’s Vice chairman; Speaker of the House of Assembly, Kombowe Benson; and the Secretary to the State Government, Edmund Oguri.
But Newman at the news briefing said, “We are by this forum drawing the attention of the National leadership of our great party to certain ugly developments in the Bayelsa PDP.
“Just recently, an investigative panel was constituted to probe the alleged involvement of some PDP leaders in Bayelsa like Senator Emmanuel Paulker in anti-party activities during the just concluded general elections.
“The investigation is simply to create an opportunity to hit at political opponents of the governor especially in 2016. That is why you saw that those appointed to serve in the committee were those who had stakes in the re-election bid of Governor Dickson.
“The allegation of anti-party activities stems from the race for 2016 in Bayelsa. It is meant to weed out political opponents.
“This development is a source of worry to us, because Senator Paulker who has just been re-elected to the Senate is being accused of taking part in anti-party activities.”
