PDP Guber Primary: Alaibe Vows to Get Justice, Debunks Defection Rumour

Former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and a prominent governorship aspirant in the just concluded Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial primaries in Bayelsa State, Chief Timi Alaibe, on Monday said he would continue to seek redress in the court of law in his effort to address the alleged injustice done to him in the poll.

The ex-coordinator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme also shut down rumours that he would leave the PDP to contest the November 16 governorship election in another political platform, insisting that he remains loyal to the party despite his reservations about the process that threw up Senator Douye Diri, the party’s candidate.

In a statement he personally signed, Alaibe maintained that his decision to seek judicial redress was a collective one, based on the ‘indisputable belief that a faulty process cannot produce a good and acceptable result'.

 

He said: “Some people have questioned the need for a court process. The answer is simple: any injustice that is not challenged and corrected will surely be repeated. And we will be the victims. As an advocate of peace and non-violence, I decided to accept the advice of the stakeholders and seek justice through legal means.

“Although this was misunderstood by some people, I want to sincerely thank my supporters and indeed all lovers of democracy and the rule of law for their understanding and massive support so far. I salute your calmness and perseverance in the face of great injustice. But please understand that I need you now more than ever.

“As expected, some people have suggested that I should simply dump the PDP and accept the various offers by other political parties so that we would realise our vision of implementing the Blue Economy and Project Dolphin in Bayelsa State. That is indeed an excellent suggestion.

“It demonstrates the depth of confidence people have in my capacity and competence to deliver on my promises no matter the political platform. Others have also advised that I remain in the PDP, seek justice and contribute to the complete reformation of the party. This, also, is a beautiful suggestion that must be considered.

“There is no doubt that the Bayelsa people want to know the way forward after the huge disappointment. I am as concerned as you have been. Let me say that I have diligently listened to your suggestions and I have decided to act appropriately. In arriving at this decision regarding the way forward, I am conscious of the fact that this is not about any political party. It is not even about me as an individual. It is about justice. It is about our beloved Bayelsa State, and it is about us.”

He maintained that Bayelsa must move from mediocre leadership to visionary and mission-propelled governance, stressing that it is why he is determined that though his mission to lead the state has been repeatedly aborted over the years, this time, he will fight to the end.

Alaibe added: “So far, we have stayed on course and even those who set out to play god and underrated our collective resolve not to be frightened out of the race with cheap blackmail are shocked at our tenacity.

“We have been able to conquer intimidation with unpredictable resilience. Despite all attempts, they have not been able to fault our superior arguments demonstrated in our vision. We have shown them that we mean business, and that we are too focused to be distracted.”

He criticised those in positions of public trust, who he said openly abandoned their statutory responsibilities and joined forces with others to feed the unsuspecting public with all kinds of conspiracy theories.

“Despite their hard punches, we kept fighting on. We kept preaching our message of economic salvation. We had unshaken faith in God and trust in our party. Various attempts to negotiate and reach compromise on certain issues were rebuffed with public bragging and wicked propaganda. Still, we refused to give up,” he said.