We’re committed to free, fair election – Dickson tells global community
Adetokunbo Fakeye
Governor of Bayelsa State, Mr. Henry Seriake Dickson on Wednesday assured the international community of his administration’s commitment to ensuring a peaceful governorship election in the State on the 5th of December 5.
Dickson gave the assurance when the United States Consul-General in the United States Consular Office in Lagos, John Bray paid him a courtesy visit at Government House, Yenagoa.
Speaking on preparations for the December 5 poll, Governor Dickson disclosed that, he is currently on a campaign and sensitisation tour of communities across the state on his agenda for the state if re-elected and the essence of a violence-free election, adding that, he is an advocate of free, fair and credible polls.
He noted that, the opposition has been boasting of using federal might and the various agencies of government to rig the polls, as they have embarked on using intimidation and threats of violence to scare the electorates, which he added will send a wrong and dangerous signal to the people.
Governor Dickson used the occasion to warn anti-democratic forces who are bent on destabilising the state, said the Bayelsa people will resist any attempt to sabotage the forthcoming poll, as he called on security forces to take appropriate action against those who may be involved in any form during the period.
While appealing to the U.S. mission to raise the issue at the appropriate level, Governor Dickson commended the U.S. government for deepening democratic relations and principles between both countries.
“My duty is to sensitise the people on their rights and I have been going round to sensitise the people not to be involved in violence, not to be intimidated, turnout en masse and vote massively for the PDP because we are a peaceful party as against the opposition that is known for violence.
Our government is known for stability, peaceful co-existence, the protection of the democratic rights of the citizens, observance of the rule of law, a record of performance, belief in the principles of free, fair and credible election which the is not known for”.
Stating the purpose of their visit, John Bray, said they were in the State to inform Governor Dickson on their plans to send an observer mission to monitor the forthcoming poll in the state and to share ideas on how to conduct a free, fair and credible election.
The Consul-General, who was accompanied, by the Political and Economic chief in the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos, Tom Hines and the Political Officer, Nick Austin gave an assurance that, the mission will work with the government and its agencies to ensure a smooth democratic process, while calling on political leaders, parties and their candidates to play by the rules for a free, fair and credible poll.
