Ijaw Nation Has No Room for APC, Dickson Boasts

 

Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, Wednesday maintained that the alleged inability of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to produce a validly nominated candidate has further boosted the prospects of victory for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the November 16 governorship election.

Speaking during the swearing-in of five new Special Advisers at the Government House in Yenagoa, the state capital, the governor restated that the PDP would record another landslide victory in the forthcoming polls, noting that the party remains the only viable platform for the Ijaw people.

Dickson, who boasted that no amount of propaganda, intimidation and financial inducement could sway majority of the people from voting for the PDP, said despite the alleged traumatic post-primary election crisis facing the main opposition party in the state, his party (PDP) would not leave any stone unturned in its preparations for the upcoming poll.

"We are preparing the ground to usher in the next administration, and make no mistake; the next administration is going to be a PDP-led administration in our state. Make no mistake, the Ijaw nation has no room for APC; this state is a PDP home.

“We are the only party that has a validly nominated candidate for the election. Mark my words, validly nominated and qualified candidates are what the law requires. As we speak, the other side, the APC, does not have a validly nominated candidate,” he argued.

The governor, who congratulated the new special advisers, described their appointments as a recognition of the important contributions they made in their previous assignments.

He urged them to join other members of the ‘Restoration government' to mobilise more support for right causes that would promote the continued stability, peace and development of the state.

Dickson assured them that more young people would be appointed into positions of trust in the coming days as part of efforts aimed at rewarding loyalty, dedication and hard work.

According to the governor, "This swearing-in is just a tip of the iceberg. By tomorrow or next, more young people, who have already been identified across the various local government areas and other stakeholders, would be brought in as our way of broadening the base of our ‘Restoration government’. It is also our way of identifying young people who need to be given responsibility.

"I implore you all to continue to do what you have been doing; mobilising support and laying the foundation for a great and prosperous Bayelsa State that we have all stood by in the last eight years. By tomorrow or before the end of the week, a number of them who were identified will be brought in to be involved."

The newly-sworn special advisers are the former Chairman, Caretaker Committee of Sagbama Local Government Area,  Michael Magbisa, and his Yenagoa counterpart,  Austin Sambo.

Others are the former Caretaker Committee Chairman of Kolokuma/Opokuma, Tolumoye Bikikoro,  Pius Andabai-Wareyai and Ebilade Ekerefe.

Also, Dickson has appointed Mr. Living Mitin as the Special Governor’s Representative for Ekeremor Local Government Area, while Weris Tike is now Chairman of Waterways for Southern Ijaw Local Government Area.