The kinsmen of the immediate past President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, in Ogbia kingdom have joined the rest of the communities across Bayelsa State to okay the re-election bid of the incumbent Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson, come December 5, 2015.
The communities that make up Ogbia kingdom are Otuoke, Ologi, Otuokpoti, Anyama, Okodi, Epebu, Otuasega, Kolo town, Emeyal, Imiringi, Elebele, Opume, Oloibiri, Ogbia, Otuakeme, Otuabagi and others.
The people of the affected communities could not hide their feelings as they trooped out en mass to receive the campaign train of Dickson during his two days community to community campaign tour to the area.
The team, led by Dickson; his Deputy, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah; the paramount ruler of Opume, King Amalate Turner; Hon. Sodaguo Festus-Omoni; Hon. Mitema Obodor; Naomi Ogoli; the Director General of RCO, Hon. Fred Agbedi; Hon. Jonathan Obuebite; and other political bigwigs in the state, left no one in doubt of the preparedness of the Peoples Democratic Party to sweep the main opposition party, the All Progressives Congress, not only out of the kingdom, but the entire state.
Business and commercial activities in the affected communities were shut down as people lined up at the riverside to receive the visiting governor, whom they described as a true son of Ijawland.
Chanting solidarity songs with display of political banners to drive home their support, the people did not only praise the governor for his achievements in his first term in office, but also assured him of their commitment to actualising his re-election bid.
According to them: “In spite of the dwindling allocation from the Federation Account, the governor has been able to change the face of the state with the provision of the needed infrastructure in all the communities in the state, prompt payment of workers’ salary, welfare package for the senior citizens to mention but few.
“Also, the activity of the sea pirates on our waterways has been reduced to the barest minimum with the provision of adequate security.
“If this could be achieved in four years, then our amiable governor should be given the opportunity to serve another four years term in office.”
Addressing the mammoth crowd that came out to receive him at Epebu, Dickson said this was the time they needed to stand firm by the PDP, which has given the people of the state, particularly the Ogbia kingdom, a pride of place in the political history of the country.
He promised that government would intensify efforts aimed at linking the communities along the Anyama axis with a road to Yenagoa.
Governor Dickson added that he has approved the rehabilitation of the dilapidated power lines from the Kolo creek gas turbine to provide electricity for Anyama and its environs.
He assured the people of the various communities visited, including Otuokpoti, that if supported to actualize his re-election bid, he would surpass his first term record.
Describing their Permanent Voter Cards as the only tools needed to actualize this dream, he said they should not be swayed by the propaganda of APC.
He said: “Anytime they come to you, always remember to ask them what their achievements were during their five years stay in office, if not violence.
“They have nothing to offer the state.
“The people of Bayelsa State are wiser now.
“This is your government.
“PDP is your party.
“Where is the change that they are professing?”
Calling on the people of the kingdom to reciprocate the goodwill they have enjoyed under the leadership of the PDP from its inception to date, Dickson said the party is the only one that protects the interest of the minority groups in the country.
According to him, this was responsible for the emergence of an Ogbia man in the person of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan as the president of Nigeria.
At Otuabula 2 community, Dickson, who described Ward 13, which comprises Otueke, Otuabula 1, Ewoi and Otuaba communities as the greatest ward having produced the first president from this part of the country, stressed the need for their support for the PDP in the coming election.
Also at Imiringi, Peter Afagha on behalf of the community lauded the Restoration Government’s developmental strides and reiterated the commitment of the people in the areas to the cause of the incumbent governor.
He drew the government’s attention to the challenges facing the people, which include completion of the 14 kilometres Opolo-Elebele Road project.
In response to their request, the governor gave immediate approval to the rehabilitation of non functioning water project, promised to do something about its link road to Otueke and the completion of the dualization of Opolo-Elebele Road after the renewal of his mandate come December 5, 2015.