2019: Goodluck Jonathan’s kinsmen dump ex-president, root for APC

The kinsmen of former president Goodluck Jonathan are now rooting for the All Progressives Congress, APC, come 2019.

The people of Jonathan’s Bayelsa East senatorial district have thrown their weight behind the APC ahead of the 2019 National Assembly elections.

The people declared their support over the weekend during the formal declaration of a two-time former Commissioner for Finance in Bayelsa State and chieftain of the APC in Bayelsa state, Dr Silva Opuala Charles.

Charles declared to run for the Bayelsa East senatorial district presently occupied by Senator Ben Bruce.

The senatorial district seat has been rotated among Ogbia, Brass and Nembe local government areas since 1999 on a one-term of four years basis.

With that arrangement, someone from Nembe is expected to mount the seat in 2019.

The leaders from Ogbia, Brass and Nembe lamented the lack of effective representation at the declaration ceremony held at the Civic Centre, Opu Nembe.

They vowed to ensure the election of Charles to attract adequate development to the oil-rich district.

Among the leaders were HRH Ralph Canon Sambo, the Ama Dabo 1 of SamboAma, Twon Brass, HRH Otonye Efebo Shidi, the Amadabo of Shidiama, Chief Augstine Okpu, HRH Consul Oluku, Chief Austin Aye- Martins Gboro, Mingi Yai Gboro 1 of Nembe, in their separate remarks expressed optimism that Charles would restore the lost glory of the senatorial district which is one of the live wires of the Nigeria economy.

Charles in his address said that the APC remains the best hope to transform Bayelsa East and solve its current challenges.

He said it is time for Bayelsa East to get quality representation in the Red Chambers which would be commensurate to the huge contributions of the area to the Nigerian economy.

According to him, “We are suffering from huge developmental challenges. There are quality representations in other climes that have brought meaningful development to their areas.

“If we profile our contribution against the projects from the federal and state government, here is a huge disparity that needs to be addressed urgently if we must grow sustainability, and I have come on a rescue mission with the theme: Making Bayelsa East to work.”