Ahead of the December 5th Bayelsa State Governorship election, Governor Seriake Dickson has called on all political parties in the state to engage in issue-based and peaceful campaigns rather than incite people against the government of the day.Governor Dickson, who made the plea on Wednesday in a live television and radio interview programme, urged the parties to play the game according to the rules, as only one candidate would emerge at the end of the contest.Speakingon a wide range of issues, the Governor said he was aware of all the political meetings taking place in the state, yet there have been no incidents of harassment or violence on account of such meetings, as it was the case in the previous administration.
While calling on the political class not to disrupt the peace, which the Restoration Government has worked hard to achieve in the last 3 years, he noted that, Bayelsa is ranked among the most peaceful states in the country.
His words: “People who are inciting you to violence does not love you and the state. But, a leader worth his salt attracts peace and development to the state. It is a free world; anybody in any election is free to aspire, but in doing so, you campaign on issues when the time comes. But, the situation where people stay afar; who should be supporting the cause of development and security, because government is a collective task, rather they put their personal interest and agenda over and above the interest of the state.”
“And, so you the young people, guard against incitement by some of these people. You have the right to support and vote for any candidate of your choice when elections come, anybody who is interested should be talking to you about his dreams for development for our state.”
“I look forward to a very robust issue-based and intellectual campaign, matching ideas for ideas; projects for projects when the campaigns finally kick off by next month.”
As a proponent of political tolerance, Governor Dickson charged other contestants to equally demonstrate a high sense of decorum and civility in the pursuit of their political ambitions.
Reacting on the recent defections of members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP to other parties, he noted that, as the leader of the PDP, he condemned their action in its entirety, describing it as immoral given the fact that, such members had aspired to various elective and appointive positions, under the PDP platform.
However, Governor Dickson pointed out that, he remains open to personal interactions with people, who have left the party, stressing that, the Governorship election was not only about his personality, but also about the dignity and pride of the Ijaw nation.
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