BAYELSA PDP PRIMARIES: GOV DICKSON WARNS ASPIRANTS AGAINST BRIGANDAGE

... INSTRUCTS SECURITY AGENCIES TO BE ON RED ALERT

By Tony Okechukwu

Bayelsa State Governor, the Hon. Seriake Dickson has warned aspirants jostling for the flag of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to shun brigandage and hooliganism in the forthcoming primaries of the party.

Governor Dickson handed down the warning on Monday while addressing an expanded PDP stakeholders' meeting comprising elders, state caucus members and all aspirants on the platform of the party.

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media Relations, Fidelis Soriwei, the Governor stressed the need for all the aspirants to pursue their political ambitions within the ambit of the law and rules of the game.

Governor Dickson said in spite of the increasing rate of insecurity in parts of the country, Bayelsa remained one of the most stable and peaceful states in the Federation.

He stressed that he was passionate about handing over a peaceful and stable State to his successor.

To this end, he said no efforts would be spared in keeping the State secure for business and other meaningful activities to sustain its stability and progress.

While commending the aspirants for the sense of maturity and brotherliness they have exhibited so far, the Governor urged them to sustain the warm relationship for the greater good of the party and State in general.

He also called on them to cooperate with security agencies and statutory organs of the PDP to enable the party to replicate the success it achieved in the last presidential primaries that held in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

Governor Dickson who assured the aspirants of a level playing ground, suggested that all delegates for the September 3 primaries should be accommodated according to their respective councils in the hotels in Yenagoa few days to the convention.

The Governor added that all the aspirants should have easy access to the delegates at all times.

According to him, such arrangement would not only make it easy for the aspirants to get access to the delegates but also enhance security of the entire process.

His words, "Even with all that going on, our State is still safe, secure and stable. And I know that all of you mean well for our State. We need to keep it so and even think of how to improve on it".

"So we will continue to work with the security agencies to ensure that the primaries and related events will be safe and that there will be no room for brigandage and hooliganism".

"No aspirant or delegate will terrorise or harass any of our people. We will not tolerate that. Unknown to you, I've already given instructions to security agencies to be at alert, to monitor your activities and be available to give you people, security support, which they told me they have been doing".

"You should all direct your energies to more positive areas and not be thinking of importing hooligans. Even though I have interest like you do, which is legitimate, I will distance myself as much as possible from the process".

"But you know, it is my responsibility and duty as your Governor to secure lives and property including (in this occasion) the venue, all our guests, party leaders, all of you aspirants and delegates. And I will not joke with that".

Briefing newsmen on the outcome of the meeting, the State PDP Chairman, Mr. Moses Cleopas explained that the meeting was convened to foster greater unity and fairness among all stakeholders particularly the aspirants.

Mr. Cleopas who expressed optimism that the party would remain indivisible and cohesive, said that all the aspirants unanimously agreed to support whoever emerges as the flagbearer of the party in the general election.

He assured the aspirants that the State Executive Council of the party have sworn to uphold the tenets of neutrality and impartiality and would do everything within its reach to ensure a free, fair and credible primaries.

He said, "The reason for this meeting is to foster unity and brotherliness. This is because most of our aspirants are not members of NEC, SEC, the Elders Advisory Council or the State caucus. But they have shown commitment to the party by the investment they have made".

" Therefore we feel it will not be proper for us to be holding meetings that concern them and they are not there. And one thing we have achieved is that all of us have agreed to support whoever shall emerge as our flag bearer".

'So for those who are thinking that because of the large number of aspirants, we shall be disorganized, they will perpetually fail'.