Dickson Asks PDP to Close Ranks, says Judiciary on Trial in Tribunal

Posted by African Examiner Latest Headlines, News Across Nigeria, News From The State Wednesday, May 11th, 2016

BALTIMORE, MD (AFRICAN EXAMINER) – Bayelsa State Governor, Henry Seriake Dickson has called on members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) nationwide to work assiduously towards getting back power at the national level in 2019 general elections.

The governor threw the challenge during the State Congress of the PDP in Yenagoa, where he urged the state chapter of the party to sustain the existing unity of purpose that enabled the PDP to win the last governorship election in the state.

While congratulating the electoral panel for the successful conduct of the congresses from the ward to the state level, as well as the new state executive members of the party on their election, Dickson said that, in the last four years, the government has worked hard to reposition the state and its political culture.

He said the task ahead of the party leadership was enormous and therefore, urged them to collaborate with other stakeholders in the South-South group-political zone and across the country towards winning the general elections in 2019.

Governor Dickson also expressed his optimism over victory at the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, drew attention to the antics of the All Progressives Congress, (APC), candidate in the state, Timipre Sylva to manipulate the judicial process.

He stressed that while the governorship election was made on merit, the integrity of the Judiciary was on trial.

Consequently, he called on the Federal Government not to allow its institutions, particularly the security agencies to be used by APC chieftains in the state to witch-hunt and intimidate Bayelsans, in order to forestall the breakdown of law and order.

He said, “Our victory is not on trial; it was clear and transparent like our congress on Tuesday. What is on trial however, is the Nigerian Judiciary, the integrity of the Nigerian state and the individual consciences of the Judges, who are sitting and all the Justices who will sit on this matter from the beginning to the end. This is because we have done our best; you voted and we have defeated them roundly and squarely.

“I also want to call your attention to the antics of the APC’s defeated candidate and their leaders in this state, that elections are over. The battle was fought and won by us. We want to work and collaborate with all federal agencies to protect and secure this state and bring development and prosperity to the state.”

In his remarks, the Chairman of the Election Committee from the national secretariat of the party, Abuja, Hon. Edwin Anayo described the congresses in Bayelsa as the most peaceful and transparent in the country.

The new State PDP officials elected are, Mr. Cleopas Mose (Chairman), Ebi Sunny-Goli (Deputy Chairman), Keku Godspower (Secretary), Gbalipre Turner (Treasurer) and Ebi Fafi (Financial Secretary).

Others are Osom Makbere (Publicity Secretary), Luke Demeoru (Organising Secretary), Amalala Atua (Youth Leader), Perekeme Richard (Legal Adviser), Numuomikari Walte (State Auditor) and Eunice Akene (Women Leader).