Amgbare Ekaunkumo, Yenagoa
As the Bayelsa November 11 Governorship election draws closer, more groups have continued to declare their support for the re-election of Governor Douye Diri and his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.
A group of non indigenes, under the aegis of Nigerian Automobile Technicians Association (NATA) made their own declaration on Tuesday when they paid a solidarity visit to Government House, Yenagoa.
Receiving them in his office, the Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, expressed gratitude to the group and other non Indigenes for their peaceful disposition and contributions to the local economy.
Describing peace as one of the important dividends of democracy, he applauded them for their resolve to vote against the candidate of a leading opposition political party, who had used insecurity as a weapon to inflict them with great pain and anguish in the past.
Senator Ewhrudjakpo, who also commended the non Indigenes for appreciating the achievements of the Governor Douye Diri-led administration, promised that the state government would do more in terms of infrastructural development and maintenance of security.
Responding to their requests, the Deputy Governor directed the Commissioner for Power, Dr Ebitei Tonyon, to immediately install solar lights at the Mechanic Village along Imiringi Road in Yenagoa.
On their desire to be fully involved in the Campaigns, he advised the group to appoint coordinators representing the six geopolitical zones to work closely with the Prosperity Youth Coalition Network.
Senator Ewhrudjakpo urged the non Indigenes to resist the temptation of violence being thrown around as a bait by opposition elements and promised that government would look into their other requests for a bus and more appointments.
His words: “We know everything they are doing. We are just watching them. Right now, we have intelligence of how they have camped some people in hotels.
“You see, you don’t lead people like that because criminal intentions will beget criminal outcomes. They are thinking of which communities to attack and take over so that they can write results without voting.
“Thank God you know how this state was before 2012. Most of you had left Bayelsa before. Most of your shops were closed because of insecurity. So we believe you will not do anything that will take you back to Egypt.”
Earlier in their separate remarks, the State Chairman of the Nigerian Automobile Technicians Association, Comrade Sikpi Ebimobowei and its Secretary, Mr Linus Chukwujekwu, explained that the group’s support for the government is to appreciate and sustain the prevailing peaceful environment in the state.
They said the Prosperity Administration had won the respect of every well meaning non indigene in the state, and therefore, would do everything within their reach to ensure victory for the Peoples Democratic Party and its candidate in the November 11 Governorship election.
Comrade Sikpi said: “Your Excellency Sir, we have come to pay the Governor and your humble self this solidarity visit and declare our total support for the Prosperity Government. We are proud of what you are doing.
” It’ is election period, so others will come to meet us. But we are assuring you that our votes will go nowhere other than the PDP because of what your administration has done for the state, particularly in providing peace and security for our businesses.
“Mechanic Village traders are over 6000. We plead that you carry us along in the Campaigns for the Prosperity Government to be elected come November 11, 2023. We therefore need a bus to help carry out a smooth campaign.”
Senator Ewhrudjakpo also received the state chapter of the All Tricycles/ Welfare Riders Association led by its Chairman, Mr Dede Vincent and Spokesman, Mr Afore Okilo, who were in Government House to lend their total support to the Diri-Law second term bid.
Addressing their concerns on the ban of tricycles in the state, Senator Ewhrudjakpo stressed that the restriction which is still in force, became necessary for the collective security of all.
