Politics
Restoration Caucus’II Choose PDP Guber Candidate-Dickson
Governor. Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State says his preferred candidate for the September. 3 primary of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will emerge among his loyalists in the Restoration Camp of the party.
Dickson, in a statement issued in Yenagoa yesterday, said that the leadership of the restoration caucus would decide on an aspirant to support in the primary before Sept. 3.
More than nine of the 21 aspirants jostling for the PDP ticket ahead the November. 16 governorship election pledged allegiance to the restoration camp led by Dickson.
The Deputy Governor, Retired Rear Admiral John Jonah,Secretary to State Government, Kemela Okara, Chief of Staff to Gov. Dickson,Talford Ongolo, Special Adviser to Dickson on Establishment, Benson Agadaga and Board of Internal Revenue Chairman, Ayawei Nimbofa are contesting.
The governor said that supporting any aspirant of the PDP outside the restoration camp was one “heavy moral burden’’ he was not prepared to carry.
He also hinged his decision to support a Restoration aspirant on the imperative of continuity, effective service delivery and commitment of restoration caucus to the socio-economic growth of the state.
Dickson dismissed those accusing him of refusal to support some aspirants, insisting that it was his right to decide who to back in the primary.
He also urged the members of the party to ignore the rumour masterminded by some political interests that the newly elected local government party chairmen and councillors were not qualified to be delegates in the election.
He said that there was no law in the PDP that prevented elected local government officials from becoming delegates in the primaries.
“We have agreed to elect a candidate for our party from the restoration team. I will fail in my responsibilities and values if I abandon those who have supported me, who have been through thick and thin with me.