Following the successful screening of all aspirants vying for the sole ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC ) for the April 14 primaries of the party, the battle has shifted towards the election.
Those who are battling for the party’s flag, include a former governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Timipre Sylva, a former governor-elect Chief David Lyon, Former Vice Chancellor of the Maritime University, Okerenkoko Delta State Professor (Mrs.) Ongoebi Maureen Etebu, Barrister Festus Daumiebi and Chief (Mrs. ) Isikima Johnson Ogbomade and Joshua Machver.
Any of the successful aspirant would squire up against the incumbent governor Senator Douye Diri, who was cleared by his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other candidates from the 16 political parties in country.
Niger Delta Herald reports that the candidate of the party Chief David Lyon won the incumbent governor in the November 2019 General election, but his swearing in was aborted by the Supreme Court over name variant in the certificates of his running mate Senator Biobarakuma Degi.
Political pundits are of the opinion that the battle would be a keenly contested race between the contestants, and it would be a battle for the soul of the party because the possible outcome would polarise the party.
The camps of the gladiators are optimistic and hopeful of victory. However, observers believe that it would be an easy sail for the former governor, who is also the leader of the party in the state..