Ex-IYC VP, Azaiki, Bayelsa speaker emerge Rep candidates for APC, PDP

A Niger Delta activist and former Vice President of the Ijaw Youth Congress (IYC), Famous Daunemigha, Prof. Steve Azaiki and the Speaker of the Bayelsa House of Assembly, Konbewei Benson, were among candidates that emerged yesterday in House of Representatives primaries of both the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Bayelsea State.

While Daunemigha, a former governorship aspirant under the defunct Congress for Democracy Change (CPC) emerged in the Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal constituency under the APC, the incumbent Speaker clinched the ticket for the Southern Ijaw Federal constituency under the PDP.

A former Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Professor Steve Azaiki, defeated other aspirants to clinch the ticket to represent the Kolokuma/Opokuma/Yenagoa federal constituency on the platform of the PDP.Azaiki, an astute administrator who was appointed by Governor Seriake Dickson as the Pro-Chancellor of the Niger Delta University (NDU) will slug it out with Osomkime Blankson, who emerged the APC flag bearer.

Former Commissioner of Transport, Maria Ebikake, emerged as the only female House of Representatives candidate in the primaries. She won the keenly contested primaries to represent the Nembe/Brass constituency under the PDP.She will face stiff opposition from Hon. Sunny Goli, who emerged as the candidates for the same constituency under the APC. Sunny Goli, a strong ally of ex-governor Timipre Sylva, is the only APC member in the Bayelsa State House of Assembly.

In Ogbia federal constituency, Fred Obua of the PDP will slug it out with Samuel Ogbuku, who clinched the APC ticket.The speaker is also expected to do battle with Preye Oseke of the APC, who won convincingly in the biggest constituency in the state.Both parties have also released names for the candidates to contest for the senatorial primaries. Mathew Kaimo (APC) will do battle with former commissioner for Works, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo (PDP) for Bayelsa central.In Bayelsa Central, Douye Diri (PDP) will battle Festus Daumiebi (APC), while in Bayelsa East ex- commissioner for Science and Technology, Blessing Ipigansi Izagara (PDP) will be at his very best to defeat Biobarakuma Degi-eremienyo, who emerged in the APC primaries.