Former Nigerian president, Goodluck Jonathan, and his wife Patience are currently making frantic efforts to stop the looming massive defection expected to hit the Bayelsa state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) today.
Jonathan has been making frantic efforts to salvage what is left of the PDP in Bayelsa State
The defection which is expected to take place at a mega rally of the All Progressives Congress (APC) scheduled for the Samson Siasia Sports Complex in Bayelsa on Saturday, August 14, has gotten several chieftains of the PDP agitated due to the big wigs expected to "port" to the ruling party.
The intending defectors include: Chief Ndutimi Alaibe, former deputy governor Werinipre Seibarugu, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, Senator Clever Ikisikpo, Hon Nadu Karibo, Hon Warman Ogoriba, Hon Gini Angaye, former speaker Nestor Binabo,
Others are Senator John Brambiafa, Hon Stella Dorgu, former lawmakers, and former commissioners in the PDP government and other founding members of the of the party in the state.
Expected to receive the defectors into the APC fold are chieftains of the ruling party including Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, national chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie Oyegun, Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu, Rotimi Amaechi, Chief Timipre Sylva and governors elected on the platform of the party.
Worried by the imminent wave of the high profile defections, Jonathan and the leadership of the PDP have pleaded with members of the party planning to defect today to have a rethink.
The former president has personally intervened by making calls to some of the intending defectors especially his political associates to see whether he could convince them not to go ahead with their planned defection.
This move by Jonathan has however met a brick wall as many of the defectors reportedly told him that they have made up their minds to join the APC.