One of the vibrant delegates in the 2014 National Conference and advocate
of derivation and resource control, Senator Nimi Barigha-Amange, has given
a major boost to the re-election bid of Bayelsa State Governor, Hon.
Seriake Dickson.
Senator Amange, a founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),
announced his support while receiving the governor at his country home in
Nembe-Ogbolomabiri shortly before the presentation of operational gadgets
donated by him to motorcyclists in the community.
He vowed to work for the re-election of Dickson in the December 5
gubernatorial polls.The former lawmaker decried rumours labelling him as
one of those planning to defect from the PDP, stressing that there has
never been any time he contemplated leaving the party, he and a few others
laboured so much to build in the state.
Amange, who represented the people of Bayelsa East Senatorial District,
comprising Brass, Nembe and Ogbia LGAs in the 6th senate, told the
governor to concentrate more of his electioneering campaigns in other
parts of the state, as almost all the political gladiators in his domain
have agreed to work for his victory.”Senator Amange is still in PDP and
will continue to
be in the PDP. I have a leader whom I worked with for 8 years in Abuja and
I will be the last person to leave for another party. After failing
election at the centre, how can I come home and donate my own state to an
opposition party? It will not happen.
“For the forthcoming election, I will say the governor should concentrate
on the other side and leave this side (our senatorial district) for us.
Leave Ogbia, Nembe and Brass for us. In fact, we are also praying that the
governorship candidate of the main opposition party should come from this
senatorial district so that everybody will now know who is in control of
this place. So don’t bother yourself.”
In his remarks, Governor Seriake Dickson described Amange as a great
pillar of support to the restoration government and genuine party leader,
who has contributed greatly towards the growth and development of the PDP
and the state.He lauded the senator for his acts of philantropy over the
years and particularly for accepting to serve as the Vice Chairman of his
campaign Advisory Council, which has former governor of the state, Chief
Diepreye Alamieyeseigha as its Chairman.
While soliciting the continued support of the former lawmaker, Governor
Dickson reiterated his call on PDP faithfuls never to allow personal
differences to negatively affect the fortunes of the party but rather
remain loyal to its supremacy at all times.
His words: “We are here to give honour to whom honour is due.We are
confident that with Senator Amange behind us here leading, our campaign
boat
will get to its destination safely. The Senator is not just a passenger in
this boat. He is a co-captain of this boat. We are grateful that he has
accepted to be the Vice Chairman of the Campaign Advisory Council, where
all our key elders assemble under the leadership of Chief Diepreye
Alamieyeseigha.” The PDP is a big family. So once in a while, there could
be one or two differences. But a genuine party leader will set aside
personal differences for the overall good of the party and the state and
of the Ijaw nation. Senator Amange as everybody knows, is one Ijaw patriot
who has not failed in that regard.”
Governor Dickson, who was accorded a warm reception by various groups
including the chiefs, women, youths and motorcyclists popularly known as
Okada riders, was accompanied on the visit by his deputy, Rear Admiral
Gboribiogha John Jonah, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, Acting State
Chairman of PDP, Chief Serena Dokubo-Spiff,Chief Thompson Okorotie and
other top ranking politicians