By Samuel Oyaodongha & Emem Idio
THERE is rising tension within the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area Council of Bayelsa State over the decision of the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Konbowei Benson to back out of the Federal House of Representatives race to seek an unprecedented 4th term bid as a lawmaker.
Hon. Benson, who had served as member of the State House of Assembly in the last 12 years and emerged Speaker in the last eight years, was reported to have confirmed his decision to seek for 4th term as Assembly member following claims of being prevailed upon by his constituents.
It was gathered that though he was alleged to have decided to go for the governorship and later House of Representatives, his decision during the stakeholders meeting recently has thrown the party into disarray as other aspirants kicked against his claim of endorsement by his constituents and rivals.
Hon. Benson had said after the meeting that the people of Southern Ijaw Constituency IV and some assembly aspirants had endorsed him and stepped down for him to run for 4th term.
However, about six other aspirants have however dismissed the Bayelsa Speaker’s claim. One of the leading aspirants to succeed the Bayelsa Speaker in 2019, Dr. Michael Amaegberi denied the claims that other aspirants had stepped down from the forthcoming House of Assembly election in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area Constituency IV.
Amaegberi, described the claim by the Speaker as, “malicious, ludicrous and intended to distract the public and particularly the good people of the constituency from the real issues surrounding the contestation for that seat.”
