Bayelsa PDP Primary: Gov Dickson faces PDP Screening …. Urges co-aspirants to respect Party Supremacy
Ibrahim Adesina
Bayelsa State Governor, Henry Seriake Dickson on Thursday called on the Governorship aspirants in the December 5th polls on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to abide by the outcome of all the processes and respect the organs and the leadership of the party.
Governor Dickson made the call in an interview with newsmen, shortly after participating in the screening exercise at the South-South PDP Zonal office in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, ahead of the party’s primaries scheduled to take place on the 24th of this month.
While describing the screening exercise as successful, the Governor said, the PDP is a party that believes in the practice of democratic principles, noting that, other candidates in the governorship race needed to be encouraged to participate in any electoral process, in line with the tenets as enshrined in the constitution.
Governor Dickson said, he regards members of the party, who have expressed their intention to contest in the governorship election, as brothers and should conduct the activities of the party as a family affair.
According to him, having concluded the screening exercise, the next line of action is to strategize on the PDP state congress and subsequently draw up plans for the campaigns that would take the restoration team to all nooks and crannies of the state.
Governor Dickson also lauded Architect Rueben Okoya, one of the governorship aspirants, who recently withdrew from the race for his action, describing it as a step in the right direction.
He applauded Architect Okoya’s display of true sportsmanship, who hinged his withdrawal on the overwhelming support that he (Governor Dickson) enjoys from leaders of the party.
Dickson said,“I like to also use this opportunity to commend the statesmanship of Architect Reuben Okoya, whose statement I read on my way to attend the screening exercise to the effect that in consideration of the overwhelming support and solidarity that I enjoy from our leaders and followers of our party, he has made it clear and he has announced it to the whole world that he has withdrawn from the race and that is a step in the right direction. I intend to engage with him and engage with all other stakeholders, beginning with those who have the same aspirations as I do because all of this, is democratic.”
Earlier in his remarks, chairman of the Screening Committee of the PDP, South-South Zone, Dr. Hassan Kafayos said the process of the screening exercise was credible and expressed optimism that, the PDP in Bayelsa would win the gubernatorial election in Bayelsa State considering its preparedness
Dr. Kafayos disclosed that there were 4 governorship aspirants under the platform of the PDP, expressing confidence that the party would emerge victorious come December 5.
Also speaking, Director General of the Restoration Campaign Team and member House of Representatives, Chief Fred Agbedi said he would pick Governor Dickson’s certificate of clearance later in the day when it would be ready.
