Kinsmen of former President Goodluck Jonathan in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State have vowed to remain in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) despite the turbulence the opposition party is passing through.

The acting chairman of the PDP in Bayelsa State, Mr George Turnah, made this known during the PDP local government congress held at Ogbia Town over the weekend.

Turnah, while speaking in an interview, commended the people for turning out in large numbers for the carnival-like congress, noting that the huge support for the PDP in the area is a vivid demonstration that the party is alive in Bayelsa State.

According to him, the PDP made it possible for a son of Ogbia to rise to the highest political office in Nigeria, and Bayelsans would not display ingratitude by abandoning the party when it needs support.

Turnah, who applauded the peaceful conduct of the congress in Ogbia, disclosed that reports made available to him indicated that the congress was peaceful across the other seven local government areas in the state.

“Let me commend the organisation of this congress; it has been peaceful. Reports available to me across the state indicate that the congresses all over the eight centres across the eight local government areas have been very peaceful and orderly.

“I want to commend INEC for taking the time to monitor the congress in line with the law, and also delegates who have to travel from all the 105 wards to their local government headquarters for the local government congresses.

“For us in Ogbia Local Government Area, this is just a congress, but you can imagine the level of support here, and it shows that the PDP is on the ground. This party gave Ogbia everything that we would ever ask for in politics, gave us a deputy governor, governor, vice president, acting president, and eventually a president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“We will continue to stand by the PDP, and you know that we are a grateful people, so my message to the people of Ogbia and indeed Bayelsa State is that we should keep faith with this party, keep hope alive, for joy is coming.”

Turnah also seized the opportunity to commend the national leader of the party and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike, for his continued effective leadership to ensure the party remains a very viable party and a responsible opposition party in Nigeria.

He also lauded the governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, for providing a peaceful atmosphere, as the Chief Security Officer, for opposition parties to carry out their activities.

“We thank the governor and all political leaders in Bayelsa for this kind of atmosphere, and that is what it should be; people from all other states should continue to learn from Bayelsa that we tolerate ourselves.” (The Sun)