Latest on Sylva, Ebebi’s feud:
Youths attack Ebebi’s loyalist
By Theo Agidee
The ongoing struggle between Bayelsa state governor, Chief Timipre Sylva and his deputy, Rt. Hon. Peremobowei Ebebi over who controls Creek Haven come 2011 took a rather dramatic twist last weekend when a staunch supporter of Ebebi's bid, Chief Abel Abifemowei was manhandled by persons alleged to have strong sympathizers for Sylva.
The attack on Chief Ebifemowei brings to a known second, the number of incidents that had resulted after the deputy governor openly voiced his intention to vie for the number one job in the state.
Reliable sources told The Port Harcourt Telegraph in Yenagoa that the politician and close relative of former governor of Bayelsa, Chief DSP Alamieseigha while intending to have a good time in a pub located along Bay-bridge road in the town was attacked by some youths.
T.O as he is popularly called was said to be taken aback by the incident. The source said he was “seriously attacked” by some persons when he attempted to step inside the pub. He was however saved from further battering by some youths nearby loyal to him. The incident would have resulted in a bloody fight but for the intervention of T.O who calmed his boys after his attackers ran inside the pub.
The continuing fiasco has resulted in several unrecorded altercations. As the state inches closer to the election date though distant, it has been split into factions for the two contenders.
Only two months ago, while canvassing support for Sylva in Ekeremor Local Government Area, Chief Richard Perekeme Kpodoh had to be escorted to Ekeremor by soldiers with bayonet attached to their rifles. Owing to the hostilities shown by the pro-Ebebi elements in the town, the campaign barely lasted minutes after the usual visit to the town's traditional ruler and speeches at the event.
As events progresses so do the divisions between the groups widen.
Presently nearly every towns and communities in the state have been split into factions over the two men.
Last weekend at the burial ceremony of the mother of a top politician in Sagbama, political trustee of Chief Sylva and grand patron of the Great Sagbama House, Prince Lucky Youbogha was firmly barred from giving his speech at the occasion. The ceremony had been attended by key supporters of the Goodluck Jonathan camp, a group which Ebebi has warmed its way into.
Watchers of political events in the state have expressed worry over the deep division in the polity and the in the inability of the PDP in the state to play the politics of accommodation.
The picture is further compounded by the presence of the Goodluck power-bloc in the state.
Only recently, this power-bloc was alleged to have reversed the result of the PDP local government primaries in the state which many have argued was flawed.
Commenting on the issue, Acting Chairman of the Action Congress, Bayelsa Chapter, Mr. Miriki Ebikibina warned on the dire consequences of the PDP feud on the state, insisting that politicians must put public interest above personal ambitions.
