April 11 Polls: Gov Dickson Meets With Epie/Atissa Traditional Rulers, Canvass Support For PDP Flag Bearers
Ahead of this weekend's State House of Assembly elections, Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson has called on traditional rulers to further sensitise their subjects on the need to conduct themselves peacefully as they exercise their franchise.
Governor Dickson, who made the call at an interactive meeting with the Chiefs and leaders of Epie and Atissa clans in Yenagoa on Wednesday, noted that, security agents are already on the red alert to deal decisively with anyone, that is bent on causing a breach to the prevailing stability and peace in the State.
While soliciting the support of the Chiefs for Hon. Markmanuel Parkinson, the Peoples Democratic Party candidate for Yenagoa constituency 1, comprising the two clans, Governor Dickson stressed the need for Bayelsans to keep faith with the party, pointing out that, political developments concerning the just-concluded presidential election have clearly vindicated the PDP as the only national party that can protect the interest of minorities.
He urged the people to vote massively for the PDP flag bearers gunning for the State House of Assembly, describing such gesture as a way of appreciating the party for giving Bayelsa the opportunity to produce a president, that piloted the affairs of the country creditably.
The Governor, who thanked the chiefs and people of Epie/Atissa for their encouragements and prayers for the success of his administration, called on Bayelsans, particularly the youths to eschew violence before, during and after the elections for the State to continually experience peace and development.
His words: ” I will like to make a case here as I have been doing everywhere in the State, since the result of the presidential election came out. I’ve been everywhere in this State and at every opportunity, I’ve always made it clear that, the state under me will continue to remain PDP.
“This is the wrong time for any part of our State to move out of the PDP, a party that has given us the presidency. Our brother is still in office and I’ve assured him that, our people are discerning and reasonable and so we will not create an opportunity for people to say, ‘Oh all his people are now leaving the PDP to other parties.’ That is not a good story that will come out of Bayelsa and, particularly from Epie/Atissa, where you have major stakeholders in the PDP. You have a minister and a senator.
“Let me also urge you all as Royal Fathers, to call on your subjects and encourage them to come out to cast their votes. But, in doing so, they should be peaceful, so that there will be no violence because the Government will not tolerate violence anywhere else not to talk of our own State capital, because you are our host. So, whatever happens here, has a way of robbing off on the entire state.”
In his remarks, the paramount ruler (Ebenibe) of Atissa, King Godwin Igodo expressed gratitude to the Governor for carrying the constituency along in the scheme of things, especially for appointing some of their sons as commissioners in the present administration.
Dignitaries at the meeting include the Chief of Staff, Government House, Yenagoa, Rt Hon. Talford Ongolo and his deputy, Mrs Ebizi Brown, Principal Executive Secretary to the Governor, Deacon Markson Fefegha, Chairman of Yenagoa Local Government Council, Chief Chubby Ben-Walson, Chairman, Bayelsa State Internal Revenue Board, Mr Godson Torukuru and the PDP flagbearer for Yenagoa Constituency 1, Hon. Markmanuel Parkinson.
Daniel Iworiso-Markson
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Bayelsa State
The post April 11 Polls: Gov Dickson Meets With Epie/Atissa Traditional Rulers, Canvass Support For PDP Flag Bearers appeared first on Pointblank News.