The Bayelsa chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) says it’s doors would remain open to former members who left the party when it wins the Nov 11 governorship election in Bayelsa.

Mr Doifie Buokoribo, State Publicity Secretary of APC in Bayelsa in a statement issued on Sunday in Yenagoa, noted that some of the reported members defecting from the party left to other parties and currently not in APC.

“The attention of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bayelsa State Chapter, has been drawn to reports of the defection of a certain Mr. Dikivie Ikiogha allegedly from our party to another party.

“The APC has no issues with anyone who wishes to pursue their interest on any political platform they so desire. It is within the person’s democratic and constitutional rights. We, however, have problems with people using the name of our party to promote their narrow, selfish and dubious interests.

“At the time of his defection, the said Ikiogha was not a member of our party. Consequently, it is false, misleading and unacceptable to drag the APC into the matter of his returning to his former party,” Buokoribo said.

The APC Publicity Secretary explained that Ikiogha left APC in the thick of the period the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) fixed for the governorship primaries of various political parties.

According to Buokoribo, Ikiogha joined the Labour Party, bought the form for the primaries, and contested the primary election.

“After he failed, he never returned to the APC to revalidate his membership. Our records paint a different picture to the one he is trying to use to dupe unsuspecting members of the public.

“The APC notes that in a season of election, a lot of politicians suffer severe ethical deficit. They move from party to party. We will therefore not be surprised if those who claim to have defected from our party return when we win the November 11, 2023 Bayelsa State governorship election,” Buokoribo stated.