The ranks of the supporters of the Bayelsa state Governor, Chief Timipre Sylva was yesterday thrown into confusion following the official resignation of three influential members of his cabinet.
The Commissioner for Youths, Peace and Conflict Resolution, Hon. Bekiakpo Etifa submitted his resignation to the Governor, through the Secretary to the State Government(SSG),on November 24, while the former Commissioner of Local Government, Hon. Weripamowei Dudafagh has publically dissociated himself from the governor.
Another aide, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Inter-Party Relations,Hon.Steven Diver, has also dumped the governor and participated in the controversial primary election that produced Hon. Seriake Dickson as the flag bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP).
Another aide,the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Orientation, Gesije Isowo has also resigned.
LEADERSHIP gathered that Hon. Bekeakpo Etifa? claimed that he resigned from the executive council as Commissioner to create more time for family business.
Investigations by LEADERSHIP revealed that the decision by the aides? to resign were influenced by past refusal of the governor to respect their need for political upliftment and endorsement for elective positions.
Bekeakpo was reported to have lobbied for the position of the deputy governor during the processes leading to the impeachment of the former Deputy Governor, Peremobowei Ebebi.
Etifa, who had a running battle with the impeached Deputy Governor, Peremobowei Ebebi, over the control of the political machinery of Ekeremor Local Government Council,?? was angry with Governor Sylva? when the incumbent Deputy Governor, Werinipre Seibarogu was appointed. He initially abandoned the cabinet in 2010 and stayed abroad for months but was re-appointed commissioner by the Governor this year.
Sources said Etifa’s father, Hon. Afeyar Etifa, was instrumental for the movement of his son to? the Goodluck Jonathan camp. The senior Etifa is the Coordinator of the Seriake Dickson’s Reformation team at Ekeremor Local Government Area.