Bayelsa is your home, Dickson tells non-indigenes
Felix Okoye
Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, has told non-indigenes in the state to regard themselves as indigens and feel at home.
Dickson made this remarks on Tuesday when the non-indigenes comprising of the South-South, Yoruba, Igbo and Hausa communities residing in the state came together to endorse him for a second term.
The event which took place at the Peace Park inYenagoa, the state capital, had in attendance about three thousand men and women who unanimously gave their support for the re-election of the governor.
Dickson, who was elated by the endorsement, said the non-indigenes were good people doing well in their various endeavors and should not harbor any form of discrimination.
“I always tell you people not to call yourselves non-indigenes. For me, you are all indigenes. RegardBayelsa as home. Anybody living here, doing your business with your family, living life normally likeBayelsa people, especially being a Nigerian, we are all one. We welcome all our brothers and sisters here doing things normally in peace, you are all indigenes of Bayelsa State”, he said.
Dickson, while acknowledging the support of the non-indigenes to his aspiration, said he was aware that they had been supporting his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which he also said was their party and should continue to do so.
He told the people not to be intimidated by the antics of the AllProgressives Congress (APC) but come out on election- day to cast their votes at their respective units and wait for the votes to be counted and results declared.
“I urge you all not to be intimidated by the antics of the APC. This election is about PVCs, it is power to the people and as such, you should not believe anybody who may be going about threatening to use power or force to intimidate you”.
He said the APC was no longer campaigning because they do not have any meaningful message to tell the people, sayingBayelsans have rejected them and that the message should be taken home to let everybody join what he said was “Operation reject APC and Sylva” at the election.
Earlier, Hon. Ferdinand Ozins, who spoke on behalf the non-indigenes said they came together to endorse Dickson because of his government’s sense of accommodation given to them andprovision of security which have enabled them live and work in peace in the state.
Ferdinand, who was one of the three appointees of the government at the forum, vowed that the non-indigenes will vote en-masse for the governor at the December 5 election.
