“Fresh Controversy Hits Seriake Dickson’s NDC as Aspirants Walk Out of Critical Meeting”
........Tension in Ekeremor as Three NDC Assembly Aspirants Reject Alleged Directive to Step Down
By Passman Akpos
Fresh controversy has erupted within the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Ekeremor Constituency Three, Bayelsa State, following reports that three House of Assembly aspirants were allegedly asked to withdraw from today’s party primary election.
The affected aspirants — Hon. Imeimene Stephen, Barr. Torke Ekpetun, and Comr. Solomon Charles Ikpaka — were reportedly instructed during a stakeholders’ meeting to step down from the race ahead of the crucial primary election.
Sources at the meeting disclosed that one of the aspirants is from Ward 12, while the other two are from Ward 11 within the constituency.
According to insiders, the alleged reason given for the directive was that the National Leader of the NDC, Sen. Henry Seriake Dickson, “does not know them.” However, the statement immediately sparked outrage among the aspirants and their supporters.
Eyewitnesses said the three aspirants strongly rejected the directive, describing it as undemocratic, unfair, misleading, and unacceptable. The situation reportedly became tense as the aspirants walked out of the meeting in protest.
The aggrieved aspirants also maintained that they do not believe the alleged instruction originated from Sen. Henry Seriake Dickson, insisting that such a directive would contradict democratic principles and the spirit of fair competition within the party.
Despite the controversy, the aspirants reportedly vowed to continue their campaigns and participate fully in the primary election scheduled for today.
Political observers say the development may deepen internal divisions within the NDC in Ekeremor Constituency Three if party leaders fail to address the concerns raised by the aspirants and their supporters.
The meeting where the alleged directive was issued was said to have been presided over by Hon. Solomon Young and Hon. Mark Ayoro, who were identified as party leaders from the area.
As of the time of filing this report, no official statement had been released by the NDC leadership or Sen. Henry Seriake Dickson regarding the allegations.
