JONATHAN,WIFE DUMP DICKSON FOR SYLVA OVER SOUTHERN IJAW BATTLE

JONATHAN, WIFE DUMP DICKSON FOR SYLVA OVER SOUTHERN IJAW BATTLE Having shifted the battlefield of the Bayelsa State election to Southern Ijaw Local Government following the inconclusive election result declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC; former President Goodluck Jonathan, his wife, Patient and their political associates have reportedly dumped the Peoples Democratic Party’s candidate and the incumbent governor of the State, Seriake Dickson to join force with the All Progressives Congress candidate, Timipre Sylva in the January 9th rescheduled According to Vanguard, Sources close to the former first family confirmed that Mrs. Jonathan had brokered a peace meeting between Sylva and a former militant leader, Ateke Tom. The meeting was said to have been held behind closed doors on new year’s day in the Port Harcourt palatial home of Tom where Jonathan allegedly persuaded the militant leader to “come to Southern Ijaw and help Sylva.” Aside the former first lady, key political associates of Jonathan, it was learnt, have renewed their resolve to gang-up against Dickson on January 9. It will be recalled that while some of Jonathan’s men had defected to the APC to fight Dickson, many of them remained in the PDP to work for the election of the APC candidate, Sylva. Prominent amongst those who defected are Senator Clever Ikisikpo (Bayelsa East), immediate past senator representing the former president; Chief Ikiogha Diekivie, a former Chief of Staff Government House and close ally of the president from Yenagoa; a former Commissioner for Lands and confidant of Jonathan, Surveyor Furoebi Akene; a former Commissioner under Jonathan and current FERMA Director, Finance, Bishop Deggi Eremienyo. The FERMA top official defected to APC just eight days to the December 5 election and worked against Dickson in Nembe. Others are a former Chairman of the NDDC and bossom friend of Jonathan, Dr. Tarilla Tabepah, who hails from Kolokuma/Okpokuma; Hon Ayobegha James, Chief Numoipre Wills, a Nembe high chief, who was appointed Executive Secretary, National Boundaries Commission by Jonathan.