On Sunday, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa, Preye Aganaba, berated Bayelsa’s stagnant growth under the PDP, saying the state must join the APC at the centre to speed up development.

Mr Aganaba, who spoke in Yenagoa, alleged that Governor Douye Diri lacked the ideology to position Bayelsa on the path of growth and development.

“Bayelsa people desire to be part of the centre. We have an opportunity in this election to align with the centre. It is in our interest to do so in this forthcoming election by bringing APC to power in the state,” stated Mr Aganaba.

However, Kola Oredipe, the governor’s media aide, said Mr Diri had done much to earn a second term, stressing that within three years, the governor had embarked on key projects and infrastructure such as roads, education, security and welfare of civil servants and pensioners.

“I can tell you that if an election is conducted today, Governor Diri will win in all the eight local government areas of Bayelsa State regardless of where the other candidates come from. The project Bayelsa is very key to him, and he feels very strongly about it,” Mr Oredipe said.

He added, “He restored peace and order to the state on the assumption of office. Infrastructure wise, roads, education, sports, empowerment and different skills acquisition programmes, he has done so much in all these areas.”

The Bayelsa governorship poll will be held on November 11, and Mr Diri is seeking reelection. His main opponent is ex-Governor Timipre Sylva.

(NAN)