Bayelsa Decides: Allow Gov. Dickson To Drive His Transition Process – Ebilade Tells Stakeholders
BIGHT NEWS – A Bayelsa born youth activist, Comr. Ebilade Ekerefe, a one time Zonal Treasurer of the IYC has called on the national leadership of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and other critical stakeholders of the party within and outside the state to support and cooperate with Gov Seriake Henry Dickson to drive the transition program as his government gradually comes to an end.
Comr. Ekerefe made this known in a press interview granted in Yenagoa, the state capital of Bayelsa as the race of who will take over from Gov. Dickson thickens.
In his words, Comr. Ekerefe stated that Gov Henry Seriake Dickson is supposed to be commended for leading the party to victory in the 2015 gubernatorial elections amidst the unpresidented deployment of the military by the federal government in a failed attempt to coercively take over Bayelsa.
Not only that, Gov. Dickson has repositioned the party by instilling discipline and cohesion; vis-a-vis, making it attractive for those who’d left prior before 2015 gubernatorial elections to come back without any incumbrances from the ward level to the state working committee of the party.
When asked if the outrageous numbers of those whom had purchased the intent/nomination forms will not course serious crisis in the party primaries, Comr. Ebilade stated that, that it will only be possible if Gov. Dickson is not giving the free hand to midwife the transition program as the only towering governor from an opposition state who has an in-depth knowledge of the current political dynamics/realities, also with the needed political machinery/structures up to unit level to win elections for the party again. What the governor needs from stakeholders is their prayers, support and cooperation moving towards the primaries. We must all bear in mind that sustaining the PDP government beyond Dickson is far more important than our personal interest. He therefore admonish the national party hierarchy to organize a primary election that will be devoid of any suspicion, ranchor or acrimony, through which a sellable candidate will emerge.
Amidst rumors that the primaries will be conducted outside Bayelsa, Comr. Ebilade stated that it will not be possible as Gov. Dickson is known for creating an enabling political atmosphere for even members of the opposition APC in the state as we’ve seen in the past and even now, and wonderred why people should even contemplate such moves if not for the sole purpose of trying to undermine the governor and the Bayelsa people.
Asked if HSD has any special interest in any of the aspirants, Comr. Ebilade said that it’s not true. All what the governor is trying to do or doing is to consult a broad spectrum of opinion leaders, youth leaders, traditional rulers, women and key political actors cut across the Ijaw Nation to arrive at a candidate that will be able to build on the solid foundation he has already layed. A sellable candidate that can win elections for the party with his support, a candidate that will not betray our cooperate existence as Ijaw people and above all, someone who’s God fearing. That is why the governor alloyed all those who had indicated interest to contest the election to do so without any interference. And he should be commended.
Asked what will happen if the Governor does not have his way in the primaries, Comr. Ekerefe reiterated that the governor does not have any personal interest. What the governor want is the victory of PDP in the general elections and if this is undermined because of personal selfish interest or an avenue to settle old political scores, then I can assure you that PDP might loose the state to the opposition. This is not rhetorics, this are the facts as we’ve witnessed in some other states as a result of political hegemony.
On his message to the youths as the guber elections closes up, Comr. Ekerefe, admonished the youths to learn from previous mistakes of allowing politicians to use them to perpetuate violence which had led to the countless deaths of many youths in most cases. He further appealed to youths to rather channel their energies into more productive politics that will bring about development to our dear state.
 and other critical stakeholders of the party within and outside the state to support and cooperate with Gov Seriake Henry Dickson to drive the transition program as his government gradually comes to an end.){kind=link}