Asari Mangeta, Governor Seriake Dickson’s Special Adviser on Grassroots Mobilisation on Wednesday defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Recall that his Commissioner for Youth Development, Hon. Ibarakumo Otobo, has also resigned.

Mangeta was received by the executive committee of APC at the party secretariat in Yenagoa, Bayelsa capital.

He explained that he left the PDP government because he was denied the right to express his political ideals and add value to the society.

“I am a politician with a passion for service to the people”, Mangeta said.

“They know that I am an asset, they lured me with an appointment but after the elections there was no enabling environment for me to perform.

“So, I have resolved to pitch my tent with APC.”

Speaking, State Chairman of APC, Mr Jothan Amos, noted that the party would take over the state come 2020.

Amos described the sack of 28,000 civil servants in the ongoing public service reforms at a time of economic hardship as regrettable.

“The way the government carried the reforms shows that they lacked ideas and are not capable of managing reforms.

“How can you finish sacking workers and then start holding town hall meetings when the town hall meetings should have been held before reforms,” he said.

A lawmaker, Mr Israel Goli, representing Brass 1 constituency, represented ex-Gov. Timipre Sylva.

He noted that APC would replicate its performance at the federal level in Bayelsa and transform it.