Bayelsa guber: Gov. Dickson inaugurates campaign advisory council

Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson on Saturday inaugurated the advisory council of his campaign organisation in Yenagoa, barely two weeks to the December 5 governorship election in the state. Dickson, who is the flag bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), explained that the advisory council would have been inaugurated earlier but for the untimely death of its designated chairman, former Governor Deipreye Alamieyeseigha. He said that the advisory council now headed by Senator Nimi Barigha-Amange would continue to function even after the election as a foremost caucus to provide policy direction to the PDP and its government. He lamented the alleged brazen manner members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) had been boasting to use federal might to rig the election. Dickson said such utterances and show of impunity by the opposition had clearly shown that they were not prepared for the election. He said the APC were envious of the achievements of his administration and that was why they were hell-bent on reversing the state to its dark past characterized by insecurity and violence. The governor therefore called on the Federal Government and the international community to prevail on all institutions that have a role to play in the conduct of the election, including security agencies, to be neutral in the discharge of their duties. “Members of the opposition party, APC, with their conducts, are hell-bent on igniting crisis in the state, knowing full well that they cannot win the forthcoming governorship election. “They have perfected their rigging plans and that is why we are calling on the Federal Government and the international community to prevail on all institutions that have a role to play in the conduct of the election to be above aboard. “The PDP is known for peace and that is the message we are preaching in all the communities in the state”, he said. Dickson thanked members of the advisory council for their support and assured them that he would not renege on his electoral promises. The council has three vice chairmen representing the three senatorial districts in the state, namely Amalate Turner (East), Blessing Akpuluma (Central) and former deputy governor Peremobowei Ebebi (West). Elder statesman,Thompson Okorotie,will serve as secretary with Senator Inatimi Spiff as Director of Strategy and James Jephthah as Director of Operations. Over 40 elders of the PDP and all serving National Assembly members from the state are also members of the council.