There is a palpable crisis looming in the Bayelsa state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and the All Progressives Congress, APC following a recent congratulatory message from President Muhammadu Buhari to Ambassador Godknows Igali, a PDP chieftain in the state.
In a statement issued on Monday signed by the President’s SSA on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, Mr Buhari described Igali as the APC Senatorial aspirant in the upcoming Bayelsa Central by-elections.
It will be recalled that Igali is a known ally of Ex-President, Goodluck Jonathan and was a PDP guber aspirant in last year’s elections. A former federal permanent secretary, Igali is also yet to declare his membership of the ruling APC.
Findings by this newspaper reveal that Igali is from the same southern Ijaw local government as David Lyon, the APC governorship candidate in the last elections. Lyon was openly endorsed by Jonathan and his wife, Patience. Southern Ijaw is also a major stronghold of the APC.
Speaking on the development, the Bayelsa State Publicity Secretary of APC, Mr Diofie Buokoribo, denied knowledge of Igali’s departure from the PDP.
“I am not aware if Ambassador Igali has joined APC. Better call the President or the secretary of the party, he will have a better record,” he said.
