With less than two months to the Bayelsa State governorship election, over 400 Non-Governmental Organisations and Civil Society Groups have endorsed Governor Seriake Dickson for a second term in office.
They also presented him with a copy of the Dickson Teachers Bible and a wall clock.
Speaking on the occasion held in Yenagoa, Dickson urged well-meaning Bayelsans to organise themselves and play more active roles in the campaigns in the various units, wards, constituencies and the local government areas in the forthcoming gubernatorial election in the state.
The Governor, who gave the charge while addressing the NGOs and Civil Society groups in the state at the Government House, Yenagoa, enjoined them to protect their votes as the power of electing the governor resides with them.
While debunking the notion peddled by the opposition that they will use the federal might to win the election, Dickson noted that the electoral power resides with the people and not by thuggery and violence aided by federal might.
Dickson acknowledged that their support was based on their confidence and faith in his government.
The Governor commended them for giving their all to ensure restoration is on course.
According to him, the outcome of the forthcoming election will determine the faith and direction of the state, promising his government will continue to promote peace, security and development.
Governor Dickson, who enjoined eligible voters to be volunteers, urged them not to be intimidated by threats of violence by the opposition.
He promised they will be protected as the elections will be free and fair.
He said: “You are all volunteers of the new Bayelsa.
“You are people who have volunteered your time and every important thing you have.
“You have given your lives to the struggle to ensure that Bayelsa remains on course.
“Today, we are meeting with you that are capable of making things happen politically in the state.
“Your support is based on your faith and confidence in what the restoration government is doing.
“In the new system that is coming, I will deal directly with you without any intermediary to ensure that nobody is shortchanged as the coming election is operation deliver your unit, ward, constituency and local government area.”
In his remarks, the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Gboribiogha Jonah, commended Dickson for hitting the ground running, immediately he was sworn-in.
Jonah applauded the NGOs and Civil Society groups for endorsing them for re-election.
The Acting Chairman of the PDP in Bayelsa State, Serena Dokubo-Spiff, disclosed that the Ijaw nation is at crossroads.
Dokubo-Spiff lamented that people ganged up against an Ijaw son and removed him from the number one position of Nigeria.
In his remarks, Senator Foster Ogola also disclosed that the All Progressives Congress as a party does not have any agenda for the Ijaw people.
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