Dickson tasks FG, security agencies on credible exercise
Felix Okoye
Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, has called on the Federal Government and the international community to prevail on all institutions that have a role to play in the conduct of the forthcoming election in the state, including security agencies, to be above board in the discharge of their duties.
Dickson who made the call while peaking at the inauguration of the Advisory Council of the Restoration Campaign Organisation chaired by Senator Nimi Barigha-Amange in Yenagoa, the state capital, over the weekend, said the call became imperative in view of his alleged brazen manner members of the All Progressives Congress, (APC) have been boasting to use federal might to rig the election.
In a statement issued by Daniel Iworiso-Markson, Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Dickson said such utterances and show of impunity by the opposition have clearly shown that they were not only unprepared for the election but envious of the achievements of his administration and therefore hell-bent on plungingthe state back to its past characterized by insecurity and violence.
“Members of the opposition party, APC, with their conducts are hell-bent on igniting crisis in the state, knowing full well that they cannot win the forthcoming governorship election.They have perfected their rigging plans and that is why we are calling on the Federal Government and the international community to prevail on all institutions that have a role to play in the conduct of the election to be above aboard. The PDP is known for peace and that is the message we are preaching in all the communities in the state”, he said.
He added that PDP would continue to enjoy popular support from Bayelsans for a long time because of its well- structured grassroots-oriented policies and programmes. Such policies, he noted, hadhelped in alleviating the sufferings of the people as being testified by the rural dwellers who troopedout to identify with his campaigns in all nooks and crannies of the state.
Dickson explained that the advisory council would have been inaugurated earlier but for the untimely death of Chief Deipreye Alamieyeseigha who was billed to be its chairman.
He, however, said the council will continue to function even after the election as a foremost caucus to provide policy direction to the PDP and its government.
To make for effective representation, he said the council has three vice chairmen representing the three senatorial districts in the state, namely King A. J Turner (East Senatorial Zone), Blessing Akpoloma (Central Senatorial Zone) and former deputy governorPeremobowei Ebebi (West Senatorial Zone). Chief Thompson Okorotie is to serve as secretary, Senator Inatimi Spiff, Director,Strategy and Chief James Jephthah as Director of Operations.
Over forty elders of the party and all serving National Assembly members from the state are also members.
Dickson thanked members of the Advisory Council for their support, assuring them that his administration would not renege on his electoral promises as he also called on the people in the state not to entertain any fears over their safety in the December 5 election.