for electoral campaigns of whatever form.
A statement by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media Relations, Mr.
Fidelis Soriwei, quoted the Governor as having made the comment while
speaking with political appointees, leaders, and candidates of the
People’s Democratic Party in Yenagoa on Sunday.
The Governor stressed that Bayelsa did not have any funds that could be
committed to the funding of the campaigns of party candidates.
According to him, the limited resources available in the state would be
committed to the development of the state and her people.
Dickson added that the funds available in the state were not even enough
to carry out the desired development of the state and would not be wasted
on politicking.
He said that those in pursuit of political offices should be able to spend
their money on the campaigns to actualize their objectives.
Governor Dickson who described the forthcoming general election as
critical, charged members of the PDP to mobilize and sensitize Bayelsans
to turn out en masse to vote the PDP for effective representation at all
levels.
Dickson who stressed that Bayelsa could not afford to be represented by
any opposition party urged the PDP members to move into the election with
the traditional cohesion and unity for which the party is reputed in the
state.
He said, “The Government òf Bayelsa has no money to fund elections. I wish
to state without equivocation that the Restoration Government under my
leadership is not in the business of funding elections.
“I don’t have enough money to work within Bayelsa. Bayelsa money must be
spent on the development òf Bayelsa, not for the funding of any election
matter who, and how highly placed the person could be.
“Let it be that they know that Bayelsa truly is 100% PDP. No state
supported our candidate more than us during the primaries. It is not
money. You know that I don’t use Bayelsa money to play politics for
anybody. Bayelsa money is to be spent for Bayelsa.
“This because the money is not even enough for me to work with. But we
made sure there were mobilization and support for all our delegates and
leaders of our state, so let the final outcome reflect that.
“We cannot afford in this state to have the opposition party represent us.
Spread that message and after the election, I will like to know who has
delivered the votes.”
The Governor said that the state government has transformed Bayelsa in all
sectors in addition to the reforms in fiscal discipline, governance
culture and respect for human rights irrespective of political affiliation
in the last seven years of Restoration.