Bayelsa State Governor, Hon Seriake Dickson, has described the forthcoming governorship election in the state as a veritable opportunity for Bayelsans to once more demonstrate their love and trust for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Addressing political appointees numbering over 400 at the Banquet Hall of Government House in Yenagoa, the governor said Bayelsa remains a stronghold of the PDP, despite the activities of mischief-makers, who are bent on using propaganda to deceive the unsuspecting public.

Describing the PDP family in the state as strong and united, he noted that all well meaning Bayelsans believe in the ideals and programmes of the PDP as the only national party that has given the Ijaw people a sense of belonging by providing a platform for Dr Goodluck Jonathan to emerge as an elected president of the country.

To this end, he expressed optimism that Bayelsans as true Ijaw people, would come out in their numbers to express gratitude to the PDP by casting their votes for the party and maintain the pride and dignity of their ethnic nation, rather than support sectional and selfish political parties.

According to the governor, PDP has what it takes to win the forthcoming polls, arguing that the overwhelming victory of the party in the March 28 and April 11, 2015 state and national assembly elections speak volumes of the support the party enjoys in the state.

He said with the announcement of 5th December, 2015 by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, as date of the state governorship election, the PDP would soon kick off a formidable campaign in all the nooks and crannies of the state.

While charging his political appointees to gear up for the campaigns, the Bayelsa State Governor noted that, apart from the laudable achievements his administration has recorded to the advantage of PDP in its first term, the party structures are strong enough to clinch victory at the governorship polls.

His words: “You are all aware that the drums of politics have started beating. For some people, the drums started beating a long time ago. They have been engaged in one type of distractive action or the other. But, for us, we have all been working to deliver results, which are everywhere for our people to see. And that is why I must congratulate you and all the people of our state for the several achievements that we have been able to put in place.

“We’ve not started campaigns, but we want to inform you that the PDP is getting ready to reply with our big drums. Every well meaning Bayelsan knows that, the other party has no room for us the minority people and that is why you must be steadfast with the Ijaw people's party, which is the PDP.

“Because it is the party that considered us as equal stakeholders in Nigeria and gave one of us from this small place, the privilege to lead this country. First, as a vice president and later as president for five and half years. So, this meeting is convened to reaffirm our commitment to the ideals of restoration as well as protect the pride, honour and dignity of Ijaw nation.”

Earlier, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Matters, Hon. Fyneman Wilson, said the party would soon come up with its blueprint for issue-based campaigns, in which it will showcase the achievements of the present administration.

Hon. Fyneman also urged his colleagues and all stakeholders of the party to start preaching the message of restoration in their various local government areas and communities to enable the PDP achieve a landslide victory at the polls.

In their separate solidarity messages, dignitaries at the occasion spoke highly of the achievements of Governor Dickson and called on the political appointees to redouble their efforts and ensure a landslide victory for the Governor at the forthcoming polls.

According them, the Governor needed a second term in office to consolidate on the gains already made.

They include Foster Ogola, Hon. Fred Agbedi of the House of Representatives, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Kombowei Benson, Acting Chairman of the PDP in the State Chief David Serena Dokubo-Spiff and the Commissioner of Information and Orientation, Esueme Dan-Kikile.

•Photo shows Governor Dickson.

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