Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, on Tuesday, said he would work hard, with the support of party leaders in the state, to ensure that he handed over to another Peoples Democratic Party governor.
A statement by his Special Adviser on Media Relations, Fidelis Soriwei, quoted Dickson as speaking at a PDP stakeholders meeting in Yenagoa, the state capital.
The governor was further quoted as advising the PDP governorship aspirants against scheming and causing divisions in their party.
He also urged the PDP aspirants seeking elective positions in the forthcoming local government and governorship elections to embark on massive mobilisation of people across the communities in order to emerge victorious.
According to the governor, the PDP aspirants have a better platform to contest elections and should campaign on the strength of the party’s achievements in the state.
He claimed that the PDP was the only political party with the popularity and strength to win free, fair and credible election in the state.
Dickson said, “Another PDP governor will be elected in the next election.
“I urge all the aspirants to step into the communities and mobilise the people.
“It will be my pleasure to lead the PDP with your support so that another PDP governor will be elected.
“How we survived during the 2015 governorship election was by the grace of God and our mobilisation skills.
“You now have people who know how to play opposition politics. As we begin the transition programme, we expect you to put on the toga of an opposition person.
“You have a lot of work to do. It is their work to sow seeds of discord, but it is your job to keep your party united, strong and stable.”
While calling on the people not to use former President Goodluck Jonathan’s name to destabilise the party, the governor pleaded with the party’s stakeholders to enforce the 30% affirmative action accorded women for councillorship positions.
Dickson, who also raised the alarm over the gradual decline of revenues from the Federation Account Allocation Committee, said the state’s earnings for March alone was more than N3bn less, in spite of the increase in crude oil price.
“The economy is so terrible. We are praying that the country doesn’t go into another recession with the way they are going. Crude oil is being produced; the quantity is high and the price is even better.
“Since January, your allocation has been going down. In January, we had a shortfall of over N1bn, in February it was N2bn and we recorded a shortfall of N3bn in March. That is what we are going through.
“Throughout this year, your government has actually been in the red,” he added.
In his remarks, the state chairman of the PDP, Cleopas Moses, urged stakeholders to place the interest of the state above other considerations in the course of their consultations concerning the governorship election.
Cloepas, who said engaging in consultation was key to resolving issues, also noted that 30% affirmative action had been set aside for women in the local government election in line with the party’s gender-friendly policy.
PUNCH