ALAIBE FLAGS OFF CAMPAIGN, PROMISES TO BE SERVANT LEADER

Mr Timi Alaibe, governorship candidate of Labour Party (LP) in Bayelsa State, formally flagged off his gubernatorial campaign over the weekend, at Kaima, the 'official capital of the Ijaw nation', with a pledge to be a servant leader to the people of Bayelsa state.

Alaibe, who spoke at the palace of the King of Kaima, HRM Agara Onya Mozi, Kala Okwu the third,  noted that he had to come first to the 'cradle of Ijaw nation' to seek their blessing before launching into the political field for his campaign. He explained that he had to offer himself to serve the people so that the state can be rescued from 'gross misrule'.

According to him, 'the circumstances forcing me into the governorship race is very well known to all of you,' adding that 'I am offering myself to serve, not to boss the people of Bayelsa State.' He said further that the economy of Bayelsa State was on its knees as the state depends on the Federal Government for 96.4 per cent for its revenue, pledging to raise the economy of the state, by fighting poverty, tackling infrastructural decay and neglect, and also rebuilding the education and social sectors of the society.

He lamented that the potentials of the state had been mismanaged, and promised to redress all the failings of the sitting government. He declared that he had the capacity to turn the fortune of the state around, stressing that 'people know I can fix Bayelsa State because of my pedigree and capacity which has  been tested and proven over the years.'

The former Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta matters assured the people of the state that 'my offer to serve will revolutionise the state, economically, socially and infrastructurally,' adding that 'a vote for Labour Party (LP) is a vote for peace and development'. While also addressing the crowd, he enjoined the people of the state to vote for President Goodluck Jonathan in the presidential election and himself for the governorship election in the state.

In his response, the monarch declared that 'your time has come' , stressing that 'the people of Kolokuma Opokuma kingdom are behind you, you have nothing to fear.' The king later decorated Alaibe with a traditional outfit, which he said was a mark of honour and endorsement.