The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) has warned
the All Progressive Congress (APC) led-government warned to stay clear
of the forthcoming governorship elections in Bayelsa State.
The group said any attempt to rig the election would re-awake “a sleeping
dog.”
In a statement issued by Mend’s acting chairman, Prince Amaibi Horby
yesterday, in Port Harcourt, Rivers state, the group declared its
support for candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and
incumbent governor, Seriake Dickson
the group assured him the support and backing of Ijaw people because
of his performance. It said it would dispatch 500 members to monitor
the exercise, particularly in the creeks.
The group noted that the governor is a product of the Ijaw struggle
for resource control and self-determination in the Niger Delta, before
venturing into active politics.
They stressed that he had contributed immensely to the socio-political
and economic development of the Ijaw nation.
“We have endorsed Governor of Bayelsa State, Hon. Henry Seriake
Dickson for a second term as Bayelsans gear up for December 5, 2015
election. Dickson, over the years, has performed creditably in office
as he has driven development to the hinterland,” the group said.
“The Ijaw people are solidly behind him in this forthcoming election,
and we will ask our members to monitor the election in the state,
especially in the vast creeks of Bayelsa, where we are deep-rooted to
avoid intimidation and possible rigging by the enemies of Ijawland and
their Abuja collaborators.”
“We are mustering total support for him because he is a product of the
Ijaw struggle for resource control and self-determination in the Niger
Delta. So far, he has contributed immensely to the vast
socio-political and economic development of the Ijaw nation.”
“We wish to admonish President Muhammadu Buhari not to engage election
riggers in the governorship election as such vicious and surreptitious
antics shall not only be vehemently resisted, but may also lead to
waking the sleeping dog from sleep.”