The Niger Delta Peace Initiative (NDPI) on Sunday accused the Bayelsa State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state of recruiting cultists as part of its preparations for the 2019 general elections.

The group ‎described the APC as currently constituted in the state as a party of cultists, and further alleged that the state leader of the party, former Governor Timipre Sylva, was wooing members of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to join his party.

The President of NDPI, Diepreye Ayah, in a statement, ‎said Sylva lured the immediate past Commissioner for Youth Development, Mr. Ibarakumo Otobo to join the APC after promising him the ticket of the party for the Yenagoa/Kolokuma/Opokuma Federal Constituency.

Ayah said the APC leader met with Otobo in Abuja, where he made the promise, just the same way he promised Osonkinme Blankson the same ticket.

Ayah said that the APC leader used similar tactics prior to the last governorship election to woo members of the PDP to the APC after assuring them of juicy positions which were never fulfilled.

He said based on the assurances, most of the persons, who joined the APC sold their ‎personal property to fund the governorship campaign of Sylva but later became bankrupt.

Ayah said that Sylva was currently ‎exploiting the greed of some members of the restoration government by promising them tickets ‎for various platforms to run in the 2019 elections.

The NDPI President said political appointees in the present administration who were always complaining of no money in the system ‎should stop being ungrateful, but, rather be contented that they had jobs and were earning reasonable salaries.

While adding that the APC had nothing good to offer, Ayah called on young people of Bayelsa to be careful of their choices, alleging that in the APC leader would only use and dump them.

But the state Publicity Secretary, APC, Mr. Doifie Buokoribo, described the claims as baseless and irresponsible.

Referring to the group as faceless, Buokoribo said: "l don't respond to faceless groups, who make baseless, irresponsible and ungodly claims."

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