Former President Goodluck Jonathan has commended the developmental strides of the Governor Seriake Dickson of of Bayelsa State, saying the state has taken shape under Dickson’s administration which commenced in 2012.
The former president stated this during the inauguration of the state Peoples’ Democratic Party Elders Advisory Council in Government House, Yenagoa, the state capital.
A statement by the Special Adviser on Media Relations to the governor, Fidelis Soriwei, stated that the former President praised Governor Dickson for a building a befitting edifice as office complex and official residence for the Governor and Deputy.
He recalled that former governors of the state including himself used to reside in bungalows while in office, noting that the edifice has also provided office spaces for other appointees and staff.
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According to Jonathan, “Let me use this opportunity to appreciate the governor for this office.
“I am saying s because this is the first time am entering the office and luckily all of us here are part of this story from 1996 and then of course as politicians when we took over May 1999.
“I knew that we started by using a bungalow, the party Secretariat as the Government House office and so on.
“The governor started from living in a bungalow, the deputy also in a bungalow that was how we started and now the state has taken shape.
“We are now in a standard office, the governor is also residing in a standard house. So, Bayelsa State is progressing. So, I thank the governor very sincerely. I always say that if you have the opportunity to be a head somewhere, president or governor, chairman of council or any other position, you should be able to add value to the environment”.
According to Dr. Jonathan, the major problems within the party was internal conflict, noting that the Elders Advisory Council would play a key role in resolving all conflict and contending issues to move the party forward.
In his remark, Governor Dickson said the PDP was poised to retain its control of the state as the gubernatorial election scheduled for November 16, 2019, draws closer.
He called on all gubernatorial aspirants under the platform of the PDP to avoid attacking one another but to focus attention on the subversive activities of the opposition in the state.
The governor, who called for stronger cohesion within the party, advised members and aspirants to avoid pursuing their ambitions at the expense of the party.
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“The ambitions are legitimate but we must note that what is important is our unity and cohesion within the party.” He said
The governor said the state chapter of the party is at a critical point where elders and members must come together to ensure victory and successful transition of power from one PDP Government to the other.
Inaugurating the 61 members Elders Advisory Council, the state’s PDP Chairman, Hon. Cleopas Moses, described the Council as a vital organ of the party similar to the Board of Trustees, which is recognised by the party’s constitution in every state chapter.
He said with the caliber of people in the council, it was evident that no other political party could overshadow the PDP and win election in the state as governor Dickson had ensured victory for the party at all levels.
The meeting appointed Elder Statesman and a former member of Armed Forces Ruling Council, AVM Larry Koinyan, (rtd), as the Chairman of the Council and Rt, Hon. Talford Ongolo as acting Secretary.
