Bayelsa Gubernatorial Race: SSG explains suitability to succeed Gov. Dickson

A Peoples Democratic Party governorship aspirant in Bayelsa, Kemela Okara, on Monday said that he remained the preferred contestant in the November 16 polls in the state.
Okara is one of the 21 jostling for the PDP ticket ahead of the party’s September 3 primaries.
He said he had enjoyed a front row position in the restoration administration in Bayelsa as a two-time Commissioner for Trade and Investment as well as Secretary to State Government.
The governorship hopeful spoke at the Federated Correspondents Chapel Media Forum for governorship aspirants in the state.
He noted that he had been an integral part of Governor Seriake Dickson-led administration and possessed the requisite skills set to succeed the outgoing governor.
Okara pledged to harness the abundant gas deposits in the state by attracting industries to process gas for industrial and domestic use.
He added that his administration would also pursue industrialisation to create jobs.
On his plans to tackle insecurity and drug abuse, he said that he believed that an employment opportunity was a disincentive to crime.
Okara, who contested the governorship position in 2011 under the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria recalled that he was brought into the PDP by Governor Dickson.
He said: “I had contested the governorship of Bayelsa on the platform of Action Congress of Nigeria in 2011, which I didn’t win.
“Afterwards, I was approached by Governor Dickson to join the PDP-led government as Commissioner for Trade and Investment.
“After his re-election in 2015, I was reappointed in the same capacity, until in 2017 when he appointed me as Secretary to State Government.
“So, I have been involved and I fully understand the workings of this government, therefore, well positioned to consolidate the gains.
“If you say that I have been primed by Dickson to succeed him, then I am eternally grateful to him.
“I share his passion and courage and will be guided by the desire to use the instrumentality of government for the good of all.”
Speaking earlier, Julius Osahon, Chairman of Correspondents Chapel said that the Media Forum for the aspirants was an avenue for them to showcase their dreams and plans for the state.
Osahon said that the forum was open to all aspirants across the political parties canvassing for votes in the forthcoming parties’ primaries and the November 16 governorship polls.