Bayelsa guber: Gov. Dickson advocates tolerance, free, fair election

Governor Seriake Dickson, of Bayelsa State, has advocated tolerance and maturity among the political class in the gubernatorial election scheduled for November 16, 2019 in the state.

Governor Dickson also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other relevant agencies to ensure the conduct of free, fair and credible gubernatorial elections.

A statement by Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Fidelis Soriwei, on Thursday, quoted the governor as having made the call during the delayed monthly Praise night for the month of August, on Wednesday.

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The governor advised those with ambitions to occupy political office to start the process with prayers to seek the face of Good before following up with consultations.

He said that those with the desire to serve the people through public offices should cultivate the habit of serving the people and giving the Almighty God his place in praise as a starting point noting that God is the true source of power.

The governor’s words, “You all have seen what has happened, how once again God pushed back the proud waters and the powerful people who thought that they can get this thing (the governorship) by force.

“And I will always remind them that power comes from God. If you want power, you go on your knees to pray, to consult and anyone who desires to lead, must first serve and we thank God for what he has done but this us only a first phase.”

He commended on the 21 contestants who participated in the gubernatorial primaries for their show of political maturity and sportsmanship.

The governor said that the leadership  of the party would make the deliberate efforts to contact all the other aspirants with a view to bringing them back effectively to the PDP family without delay.

The reconciliatory moves had already commenced with some of the major aspirants meeting with the Governor shortly after the election at the Governors Lodge, on Thursday.

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Among those who have met with the Governor were the deputy governor, Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (rtd), Keniebi Okoko, the Chief of Staff, Government House, Chief Talford Ongolo.

Some of the aspirants also had informal discussions with the candidate, Sen. Douye Diri, on Thursday,

Also, the governor announced the reappointment of Chief Ongolo, who resigned to contest the governorship primaries, as the Chief of Staff.

He described the Chief of Staff as a dependable party man who believes in the supremacy and interest of the party.

The governor recalled that all those who indicated interest to contest the governorship were allowed to go into the race, carry out their campaigns without victimisation from the government they were serving.

He described the primaries conducted by the state chapter of the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) which produced Chief David Lyon, an oil surveillance security contractor, as a ‘sham’.

“That is an imposition my dear friends. Let’s call it by its proper name – an imposition. What has happened at the other side is an imposition and I want to sympathise with all the very qualified people who offer themselves for service but have been rudely and crudely shut out and down in the most criminal manner and in all of these to produce a small toothless Lion.” he added