BY UBON EKANEM – Amidst hot political exchanges and bickering between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC) over the forthcoming governorship race in Bayelsa State, Governor Seriake Dickson says the people deserve peaceful, free and fair election in the State.
He has therefore challenged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and key political stakeholders to ensure that violence-free election holds in the state come November 16, 2019
Speaking through a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Fidelis Soriwei, the governor urged INEC and security agencies to shun bias and remain neutral in handling the election.
He said Bayelsans were tired of acts of violence and criminality perpetrated by desperate politicians, who do not have the capacity to win election in a free and fair atmosphere.
The statement said Governor Dickson made the call when he publicly presented the PDP candidate, Douye Diri, and his running mate, Lawrence Ewrujakpor to the Atissa Kingdom
He charged the people to remain unwavering in their support for the PDP, pledging that Senator Diri would consolidate on his administration’s successes recorded in the areas of education, roads, health and the mutually rewarding relationship with the traditional institution.
According to Governor Dickson, the PDP ticket is not associated with insecurity, lawlessness, violence and militancy being allegedly promoted by some other parties in the State .
He however urged security agencies to effectively discharge their responsibilities by providing a conducive atmosphere for the conduct of a credible poll.
In their remarks at the occasion, the Atissa people acknowledged that the tempo of development in all sectors, especially the construction of new roads and dualisation òf the existing ones, could only be sustained by the PDP.
The Chief Press Secretary’s statement quoted Spokesman of the Atissa Traditional Council, His Royal Highness Ovie Omeleh, the Ebenekein òf Yenakah, as endorsing Diri and his running mate for the election.
It said Omeleh also admitted that PDP has maintained a legacy of development in the state since the commencement of democratic governance in 1999, promising that the people would vote massively for the Party to support the sustenance of Governor Dickson-led government’s developmental strides in the state.
The statement also said that the Adukali 1 of Atissa Kingdom, Dikevie Okulovie, lauded the governor for ensuring PDP is presenting a credible and worthy candidate that would replace him come February 14, 2020.
Describing as thoughtful the PDP flagbearers’ presentation at the Obeni Ibe’s palace, who represents the spiritual, administrative and political head of the Atissa candidate, Okulovie noted the governor’s landmark achievements, the government’s efforts at turning Yenagoa into a metropolis.
In his message, the PDP candidate, Senator Diri, appreciated the palace and the chiefs for their support, noting that they have been pillars of support for his victories in past elections into the House òf Representatives and the Senate.
Diri pledged that Governor Dickson’s developmental agenda in areas of infrastructure, health, and education among others would be fully sustained going forward.
