Austin Pade, Yenagoa
Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State has called on the people of the state to resist every form of intimidation during the forthcoming polls and be resolute in exercising their franchise.
Governor Dickson gave the charge while addressing the chiefs and people of the Bayelsa East Senatorial District at separate rallies in Brass Island and the two kingdoms of Nembe.
The governor reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to award the contract for the construction of the Nembe-Brass Road before leaving office next year.
In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media Relations, Mr. Fidelis Soriwei, made available to journalists in Yenagoa, the governor described the road as not only highly capital intensive but also most economically viable.
He noted that although it was impossible for the present administration to complete the project, government had already initiated partnership discussions with critical stakeholders such as the Federal Government, the Niger Delta Development Commission and oil companies.
Governor Dickson, who assured the people of his commitment to the project, reminded them of a similar promise he made about the Ogbia-Nembe road, which has since been completed by his administration.
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While thanking the chiefs and people of the area for supporting him, the governor urged them to maintain the gesture by voting for Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and all PDP candidates in the upcoming elections.
In his remarks, the chairman, Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council and Amayanabo of Twon-Brass, King Alfred Diete-Spiff, expressed gratitude to Governor Dickson for the developmental efforts of his administration.
Represented by a member of the Twon-Brass Council of Chiefs, Chief Ebiye Golden-Sintei, the monarch acknowledged appointment of his people and building of critical infrastructure in the area.
He however appealed to the state government to push for the take-off of the Nembe-Brass Road before February 2020.
Also, during a courtesy visit to the Amanyanabo of Nembe, Mingi the 12th, King Edmund Daukoru, and his Council of Chiefs, he restated that election was not war, stressing that his administration would not condone acts of violence, hooliganism, lawlessness and harassment.
The governor appealed to traditional rulers, religious organisations, youths and women groups to mobilise and sensitise their people to turn out en masse to cast their votes for the PDP.
His words, “Our party is not interested in violence. Our party condemns violence, brigandage and political leaders whose stock in trade is stockpiling arms and raising local militia. Elections are not won by shooting guns. That is crude politics.
“Genuine politics is through persuasion and appealing to the conscience of the people which our party is doing.
“There are no wars to be fought. Our people and communities have decided to build on the prevailing peace.
“I am in your kingdom to present your sons and daughters to the electorate and to also tell the people the need for peaceful election.
“I know you are working to support stability and development in your kingdom; in order to raise the profile of the ancient traditional stool of his forefathers.
He also commended King Daukoru for providing quality leadership in his kingdom, which had brought about peace and development of the area.
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“I know you are working to support stability and development in your kingdom and raising the profile of the ancient traditional stool of his forefathers.”
Governor Dickson acknowledged the significant roles King Daukoru had played in various capacities both at the state and national levels, which he noted, had raised the profile of the ancient traditional stool of his forefathers.
In his remarks, King Daukoru praised Governor Dickson for his development efforts in the last seven years of his administration particularly in the areas of infrastructure, education, health care delivery and security.
King Daukoru specifically highlighted the contribution of the Dickson administration to the completion of the Ogbia-Nembe road describing it as a historic achievement.
He, however, wound up the campaign tour with a visit to the chiefs and people of Nembe Bassambiri and Nembe Ogbolomabiri kingdom.