Bayelsa Guber: Jonathan Backs Dickson

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has hinged his support for Governor Seriake Dickson’s re-election bid on the fact that he is one of the most performing governors in the country, based on his excellent track record of regular payment of workers’ salaries, reduction of the state’s huge debt profile and the unprecedented infrastructural development.
Speaking while receiving Governor Dickson at his country home, Otuoke, Ogbia local government area of Bayelsa State, Dr. Jonathan said, his decision was based on the developmental strides of the Governor in the last three and half years in the state.
Governor Dickson last week, submitted his nomination and expression of intent form at the National Secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Abuja to contest for a second term in office, ahead of the December 5th governorship polls in  Bayelsa State..
According to Dr. Jonathan, “If Bayelsa is compared to other states in the country, in terms of the level of physical infrastructure, coupled with the degree of indebtedness in terms of bank loans and capital market, Governor Dickson deserved to be praised.”
His words: “I am not expecting the governor to score 100%. There are three key parametres I will like to score Governor Dickson, which are payment of salaries, physical infrastructure and low indebtedness of the state in terms of bank loans and in the capital markets. If you compare what has happened in other parts of the country, you will praise the governor. People should think more about the way the state is being run and prepared for our future generation.”
“Bayelsa is not a cursed state. On the notion that governors in Bayelsa State cannot do eight years; it slows down the rate of development and except there is continuation in government, development will be truncated. Performance is not about satisfying individual needs and so we need to encourage Governor Dickson to go for second term.”
Describing Governor Dickson as his political first son, the former President noted that, if Governor Dickson was given the opportunity of a second term, he would strive to consolidate on the achievements already recorded.
Earlier in his remarks, Governor Seriake Dickson had solicited the support and encouragement of Dr. Jonathan to run for a second term, stressing that, he and his entourage needed to seek his support, as he is the leader of PDP, both at the state and national levels.
Governor Dickson, who has been canvassing support from stakeholders of the party as well as royal fathers of the state preceding his formal declaration to run for the Governorship election, had earlier paid homage to the Chairman of the state Traditional Rulers Council, King Alfred Diete -Spiff
Governor Dickson, who equated Dr. Jonathan’s support to him to the Rock of Gibraltar said, his encouragement dated back to 2005, when he served in the former president’s cabinet as Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice.
Meanwhile, contrary to expectations of many Bayelsans and media reports, many ahead of the December 5 governorship elections in Bayelsa State, political heavyweights in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) including ex-President Goodluck Jonathan and former governor of the state, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha  endorsed the re-election of Governor Seriake Dickson.
The party leaders who attended the meeting include PDP acting National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus and former chairman, PDP Board of Trustees, Chief Tony Anenih, who spoke after the stakeholders meeting and dinner claimed that realities on ground clearly show that the present administration was doing well in the state.
Others who delivered goodwill messages at the event include Secretary, PDP Board of Trustees, Senator Walid Jibrin; Vice Chairman of the party, South South, Dr Cairo Ojougboh and Wing Commander Peter Biakpara.
Senator Foster Ogola, Hon. Douye Diri, Air Vice Marshal Larry Koinyan (rtd) and King Amalate Turner, the Paramount Ruler of Opume in Ogbia Local Government Area of the state also endorsed Dickson.
Other chieftains including Senator Stella Omu, Director-General, PDP Governors Forum, Osaro Onaiwu; House of Representatives member from Taraba, Hon. Rima Shawalu, his Plateau state counterpart, Hon. Solomon Maren and the Secretary of PDP South South Zone among others.
Addressing the party faithfuls, Jonathan said that contrary to media reports and speculations, the PDP, which has been in control of the state since its inception in 1999, still has what it takes to win the forthcoming governorship election convincingly.

President Muhammadu Buhari (left), with the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Bulus Lolo,(right), after the latter briefed the President on activities of his ministry, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja yesterday. With them is Director-General, Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, Prof. Bola Akinterinwa (middle).