Political Briefs
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MORE than 200 ex-freedom fighters under the aegis of Peace and Cultural Development Initiative, PCDI, have pledged to work with the state government and the security agencies to arrest the current trend of kidnapping and other forms of crime in Bayelsa State.
The support was sequel to the rising cases of kidnapping and insecurity in the waterways in the State.
Jepthah Kalaiti, leader of the PCDI, who made the pledge during a courtesy call on Governor Henry Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State, said the decision of the group to partner with government was premised on the outstanding performance and achievements of the incumbent governor, especially in the area of security and his quest to transform the state by attracting investors from all over the globe.
Kalaiti said the PCDI was impressed with the performance of Governor Dickson in close to four years in office and, therefore, seized the occasion to endorse his re-election bid for another term in office.
He said that by the pace of achievements within the short period and as a good and supportive father and leader of Ijaw Nation, it behoved on the group to stand shoulder to shoulder and fight for peace in the state before, during and after the elections.
Kalaiti said that members of the PCDI had organised themselves into groups in readiness for operation against kidnappers in the state and against mischief makers during the election, adding that they had lived and worked together as a group.
In his response, Dickson reiterated his commitment to the peace and development of the state, as no meaningful development could take place in the atmosphere of crisis.
He, therefore, solicited the support of the former militant leaders in putting an end to the spate of kidnapping and other vices in some parts of the state.
Dickson said their wealth of experience as freedom fighters and youth with background knowledge of the creeks and hinterlands would be needed to stem the activities of mischief makers in the state and the region.
He said: “I thank you for your continued support that has enabled us to embark on developmental projects without harassment of contractors. The struggle of Ijaw nation is not a criminal act and I want to solicit your support and participation in the security of our state to forestall kidnapping.
“I also want to call on you to work for peace and security as whatever crisis that erupt in Bayelsa will affect not only the entire Niger Delta States but the entire country as a whole. The continued peaceful co-existence of the Nigerian nation is in the interest of the Ijaw people. But in the present political contention, what is needed is your Permanent Voter Cards; so all you need is to get your PVCs ready.”
In a similar fashion, about 2,000 youths from the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ekeremor Local Government of Bayelsa State formally declared their support for the re-election of Dickson.
Ironically, Ekeremor Local Government is the home base of Heineken Lokpobiri, governorship campaign director of Timpre Sylva, governorship candidate of the APC, who is contesting the governorship seat with Dickson of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
Describing the achievements of the governor in the various sectors of the economy as unprecedented, the youth under the aegis of EKELGA Federated Youths Worldwide, in a statement jointly signed by Orugo Kuro Robert, its president, Living Mitin, youth leader, Tare Porri, youth leader, and Helen Orus, woman leader, said this necessitated their action.
According to the statement, Dickson had been able to prove the doubting Thomases wrong with his numerous achievements, especially in the areas of security, health and education among others.
The youth body, therefore, called on its members in the state to come out en-masse and vote for the governor on December 5, 2015.
— Nov 16, 2015 @ 01:00 GMT
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