One of the leading Governorship aspirants of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Bayelsa State, Barr. Festus Daumiebi has dissociated himself from aspirants who are in the habit of making protests, written petitions and throwing shades at co-aspirants.
He regretted that it is worrisome that these aspirants and their supporters who are in the habit of making protests have written petitions throwing shades at co-aspirants and then inserted his name as the author of the communications.
According to Daumiebi in a statement made available to newsmen in Yenagoa, Tuesday, said the intention is to play spoiler, stoke fire, wedge a war behind the radar using his name and reputation and in the process attract self-gains.
His words: “Notice is hereby given to the general public that some gubernatorial aspirants of the All Progressives Congress, (APC) in Bayelsa State and their supporters have resorted to smear campaigns and playing mischief with my good name.
“These aspirants and their supporters of no consequential colour who are in the habit of making protests have written petitions throwing shades at co-aspirants and then insert my name as the author of the communication. Their intention is to play spoiler, stoke fire, wedge a war behind the radar using my name and reputation and in the process attract self-gains.
“The petitions casting aspersion on co-aspirants is vexatious, brought in bad faith and did not emanate from me or my team. For the records, I wish to categorically state further that I have never in my entire life written any petition to disparage anyone and would not stoop so low to do that because of party primary election which is a family affair. Mine has always been to preach peace and unity. We do not have to hurt ourselves beyond redemption as we go about soliciting support.
“Ordinarily, I would have left them to their own device but to insert my name in such condescending statements and pass it off as my communication in the hope to make maximum impact is to go beyond the bounds of decency.
“It is therefore with great restraint and compelling necessity that I have to make this disclaimer stating that I am not part of any internal squabbles in the All Progressives Congress in the State and will never be in the overall interest of the well-being of the party.
“My position is inspired by the fact that for the APC in Bayelsa State to come out victorious in the forthcoming gubernatorial polls and subsequent elections, all warring factions must sheath their swords and embrace peace. True reconciliation and healing must be instituted and all hands must be on deck.
“Let it also be known that my intention to contest for the Governorship seat of Bayelsa State is not born out of desperation, but out of love and genuine desire to enthrone a new Bayelsa State that all of us will be proud of.
“Therefore, while all aspirants have the right to their ambition, I urge them not to be desperate in the quest to clinch the party ticket. if they must write petitions they should be bold enough to use their names and signatures. They must desist forthwith from using my name or I will be left with no option but to defrock them and also respond with corresponding riposte.”