A socio-political group, Bayelsa Youth for Peace Initiatives and Good
Governance, has warned political office seekers and their cronies within
and outside the state against heating up the polity.
The organization which specifically expressed dismay over the alleged ‘frosty
relationship’ between Governor Seriake Dickson and the First Lady, Dame
Patience Jonathan over 2015-16 elections, said it will start mobilizing
youths against disgruntled politicians fanning the embers of discord.
A statement issued on Thursday in Abuja by the President of BYP, Charles
Ebi stated that there is a cordial relationship between the President
Goodluck Jonathan, his wife and Governor Dickson.
He said, “Governor Dickson is a notable member of the Green Movement;
President Goodluck Jonathan campaign organization, then as Governor. Also,
as the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Justice, Hon.
Dickson was one of the leading campaigners for the enthronement of
President Jonathan as Acting President and his subsequent election as
President.
‘At different fora, the governor had made it known to the people, his love
and support for President Jonathan and his family. Recently, Hon. Dickson
as a leader of the ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party, (PDP) in the State
led other members of the party in the state in endorsing the President for
the second term.
‘As a true democrat, he has warned the people against politics of name
dropping, blackmail and propaganda, arguing that it is against democratic
norms. Leadership is about service delivery not name dropping, as we are
currently experiencing in the state.
“As far as we are concerned, there is no problem between the governor and
the wife of the President. The purported rift between the President’s wife
and Governor Dickson is the handiwork of mischief makers and political
jobbers who are hell bent in disrupting the prevailing peace and stability
in the state.
“As true Ijaw sons and daughters, we do not believe in washing our dirty
linen in the public. If there are issues at all, which is highly in doubt,
as Ijaw people we know how to address such issues without breaching the
peace and creating chaos all over the place.
“Whoever is interested in contesting any elective position should be bold
enough to come out and discuss issues rather than engaging in campaign of
calumny. There is no need for anyone to pitch the governor against notable
personalities in the state before winning election. Let your works and
achievements speak for you.
“Governor Dickson in the last three years has done so much for the state
in the provision of infrastructure, affordable health care delivery, free
and
compulsory education at primary and secondary levels to mention just a few.
“If the trend of name dropping and campaign of calumny against the present
administration continues, the group said that it would not hesitate to
mobilize youths against such personalities and subsequently declare them
persona non grata in state.”
ENDS…