BY HENRY UMORU, ABUJA
THE Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, insisted yesterday that it will go ahead with today’s gubernatorial primaries in Bayelsa State, in spite of the court order obtained by embattled Governor Timipre Sylva to stop it.

The party said it is relying on Section 25 (10) of the Electoral Act which bars the courts from stopping a party from holding primaries.

The section states: “Nothing in this section shall empower the courts to stop the holding of primaries or general election or the processes thereof under this Act pending the determination of a suit. Whatsoever.” The primaries is in readiness for the governorship election in February next year.

A source at the PDP National Secretariat of the PDP, Wadata Plaza said all was set for the election, just as election materials had already been delivered for the process.

According to the source, the Minister of Police Affairs, Navy Captain Caleb Olubolade will lead the team that will conduct today’s primaries.

Olubolade who has been a very frequent face at the party’s National Secretariat since the beginning of this week was also at the office of the National Organising Secretary, Prince Uche Secondus, where he was briefed, along side other members of the panel.

The Minister who had earlier served in the same capacity at the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, was the third Military Administrator of Bayelsa State during General Sanni Abacha from 27 June 1997 to 9 July, 1998. Those who will struggle for the party’s ticket ahead of next year’s governorship election are Oruta Justine Boloubo; Henry Seriake Dickson; Enai Christopher Fullpower; Kalango Michael Youppele.

Others are Doukpala Francis Amaebi, Ekiyegha Fred Korobido and Austin Febo.

The aspirants were screened out with Sylva, former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, Chief Timi Alaibe, ex-Director-General, Nigeria Television Authority, NTA and Chief Executive Officer of Silver Bird Communications, Mr. Ben Murray-Bruce and the permanent Secretary, Water Resources, Ambassador Godknows Igali, although Sylva was earlier given a provisional clearance by the Brigadier-General Idi Musa led Screening Committee on October 28.