BAYELSA ELDERS BACK SERIAKE FOR GOV
As the race for the Creek Haven Government House of Bayelsa enters the critical stage, the quest of Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson to unseat incumbent Chief Timipre Sylva has recieved a major boost, as notable Bayelsa elders are now trowing their weight behind his candidacy.
A statement made available to Daily Sun said the elders reached their decision to back the lawmaker after taking time to assess the person of H.S. Dcikson who represents Sagbama/Ekrekor Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives and presently chairs the House Committee on Special Duties.
A Principal Bayelsa Elder, King A. J. Turner said Henry Seriake Dickson represents the generational shift that youths in Bayelsa state and even across Nigeria have been asking for. 'You can see he was born in 1966 and I think that is an advantage, for someone of this generation…he will have no problem identifying with the youths and understanding their problems. I believe this is one of the key things needed in Bayelsa State today, someone who is himself a youth and understands the youths.
'Dickson has also proven himself even at this his young age. You need to know the story of how he rose through the various stages of life to arrive at this stage. I see a parallel between Dickson's story and President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan's triumph over humble beginning. We as elders in Bayelsa are confident that Dickson is the man the state needs to take the people forward at this moment.' King Turner said.
The immediate past PDP Chairman in Bayelsa state, Honorable Rufus Ababi said he is rooting for Dickson as the next governor of the state because of the need to unite the entire people of Bayelsa state to move on as one.
'At this stage in the history of Bayelsa state we will not benefit anything from in-fighting, political tussle for supremacy or any other thing that can constitute distraction for our kinsman in Abuja. It is on this basis that I see Dickson as possessing the charisma to unite the people of the state and foster development at our level to complement whatever we get from the federal level.' Ababi said.
Similarly, another elder, Honorable Fynman Wilson said he was bowled over by the programmes that Dickson unveiled in his manifesto for the governorship race. According to Wilson 'The document I saw contains policies that have the potentials to transform Bayelsa State in matter of months. It will be unfair on the upcoming generations if we as elders manufacture an excuse to deny them the opportunities that will be created by a Dickson governorship.
'Before now, Bayelsans have been clamouring for issues and people based governance and so far that is what this candidate has offered. Unless we want to engage in double standards, the logical thing to do is to throw our weight behind him and that is what we have done.' Wilson noted.
Meanwhile, Dickson's aspirations to become the next occupant of the Creek Haven government house got further boost as other prominent citizens of the state are joining the clamour for him. He has secured the backing of the likes of Senator E.W. Diffa, His Excellency Ebebi Peremobowei-Former Speaker and former Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Fred Gbedi, Professor Turner Isuon-Chairman Bayelsa Council of Elders, Honourable Salo Adekumo and others.
Other leaders of thought in the state have declared their support for Dickson and promised to go public once they conclude further consultations with their people.