By IGONIKO ODUMA, Yenagoa

A former Commandant of the National Defence College (NDC), Abuja, Rear Admiral Thomas Lokoson (rtd) has defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic (PDP) in Bayelsa State.

Lokoson was received on Saturday by the members and leaders of the PDP at his Ward 5 in Otuan community in Constituency One of the Southern Ijaw Local Government Government Area, Bayelsa Central Senatorial District.

His cross-carpeting happened about three weeks after Governor Douye Diri rejected political overtures from a chieftain of the APC and former Deputy Governor of the state, Peremobowei Ebebi to dump the PDP for the APC.

Speaking at the event, Lokoson said his decision to return to the PDP was as a result of the performance and achievements of the Diri-led administration in the state.

The former boss of the NDC thanked the PDP for welcoming him back to the party, noting that the present administration had demonstrated sufficient enthusiasm for the overall development of the state.

He said, “I have decided to come back and I wish to thank the leadership of the party for welcoming me back and accepting me. I have studied and watched political and economic developments going on in Bayelsa.

“And I thought that as a Bayelsan with the interest of the state at heart, it is time for me to come back (to the PDP). Moreover, as I look back, I see only three people that are still behind and we will work very hard to bring them back onboard also.”

Lokoson, who is also a philanthropist, promised to reintroduce his foundation’s educational scholarship scheme with the inauguration of a special committee to screen and verify the first 10 beneficiaries by September 2021.

A PDP chieftain in ward 5, Emmanuel Jonjon while welcoming Lokoson back described him as an asset to the community, ward, local government, party and the state.

In his remarks, the state Secretary of PDP, Gesiye Isowo attributed the wave of defections into the party to the directive of Diri that former members should be reconciled back to the party.

Isowo said, “It means the party is moving forward, these are the attributes of democracy and this is to prove once again that the PDP is working hard. It is the only party that can work to ensure free and fair elections.

“Governor Douye Diri gave us a very clear directive when he came onboard, and that is exactly what we are doing in every ward; it is every party member’s responsibility. He has given us the Ministry of Reconciliation to reconcile everybody back to the PDP. And what I saw here is wonderful.”

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