A former Technical Adviser to Bayelsa State Governor on Information and Strategy, Jeremiah Perekeme Owoupele, has dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

In his resignation letter to the Chairman of Ward 5, Ebedebiri, Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, Owoupele said his decision to leave the PDP was due to a series of events that compromised his belief in the party.

According to him, the party “has taken a downward slide that seems unabated despite several attempts to bring realities to the leadership.”

He noted that he could no longer accept the developments in good faith and has decided to part ways with the party. Owoupele’s resignation has sparked reactions, with growing calls for the party’s leadership in the state to resign.

The Zonal Secretary of the PDP South-South Zone, George Turnah, expressed sadness over Owoupele’s resignation, describing him as a committed member.

Turnah, in a statement by his media assistant, Kevin Loveday-Egbo, stated that Owoupele’s exit from the party highlighted the discontent and frustrations permeating the ranks of the PDP in Bayelsa State.

“Owoupele’s resignation underscores the deep-rooted issues plaguing our party, particularly the ineffective leadership under the current State Working Committee. The lack of vision, poor reward systems, and apparent neglect by the party’s leadership in the state have forced dedicated members like Owoupele to seek alternatives. His voice represents the sentiments of many young and vibrant pillars of our party who feel marginalised and disenfranchised,” Turnah said.

He also pointed out that the leadership failure and high-handedness displayed by the current State Working Committee have created an environment of impunity and illegality, directly contributing to the decline of the party’s influence in the state.

Turnah therefore called on members of the State Working Committee to resign immediately to save the party from further decline.

“Their incompetence, ineffectiveness, and several acts of impunity are intolerable. The filing of multiple cases against the party and its officers at the Bayelsa State High Court, without first exhausting available internal mechanisms for conflict resolution, is further indication of the chaos and division sown by the failed leadership. The time for change is now; we must prioritise the interests of our party and its loyal members,” he added.

Turnah, while expressing solidarity with Owoupele, called on patriots to come together and join hands to restore integrity and unity within “our ranks to enable the PDP to fulfil its mandate and serve the people of Bayelsa State effectively.” (Daily Sun)