By Samuel Oyadongha

Yenagoa—A former Chief of Staff, Bayelsa Government House and a chieftain of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Diekivie Ikiogha, has defected from PDP to All Progressives Congress, APC.

Ikiogha, a grassroots politician and close associate of former President, Goodluck Jonathan, was one of the pillars behind the emergence of Seriake Dickson as governor of the state in 2012.

He was appointed Chief of Staff, Bayelsa Government House by Governor Dickson on his assumption office in February 2012, but was redeployed to Abuja liaison office, following alleged strained relationship between them.

Speaking with newsmen, yesterday in Yenagoa, Ikiogha said the decision to join APC was taken after wide consultation with his supporters in the wake of the crisis of confidence rocking PDP in the state and the hijack of the party by few persons with selfish ambitions.

He said: “Even as I am no longer in PDP, former President Jonathan is still my friend and big brother.

“My constituents, the masses for whom I have lived and to whom I dedicate all my political victories, have agreed that I should leave PDP.

“At one of the meetings that led to the final decision to quit, some of my supporters reminded me that the PDP I helped to form and nurture was no more the same.”