…As Dickson Inaugurates Senatorial Liaison Office.
Amgbare Ekaunkumo, Yenagoa
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri has called on stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to start working for the 2023 general elections with a view to sustaining the party’s dominance in the state.
Senator Diri made the call at the weekend at Toru-Orua at a ceremony put together by the Senator representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District and former Governor of the state, Senator Seriake Dickson, to thank the people of the district.
The Governor, who was represented by his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, spoke after inaugurating the Senatorial District Liaison Office provided by Senator Dickson in Sagbama, headquarters of Sagbama Local Government Area.
A statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Deputy Governnor, Mr Doubra Atasi, quoted him as saying PDP has Bayelsa as its stronghold since the beginning of the present democratic dispensation, there was need for party faithful to remain united to win every election.
Governor Diri expressed gratitude to the people of Bayelsa West Senatorial District for honouring the zoning arrangement between them to vote massively for Senator Dickson and the PDP in the December 5, 2020 Bye-Election.
He also appreciated the people for standing by him and his deputy all through the plethora of court cases that greeted the Supreme Court judgment that declared them and the PDP as winner of the 2019 Governorship Elections.
Senator Diri, who noted with delight the oneness, foresightedness and proactive manner with which Bayelsa West PDP family organize their politics, urged the other Senatorial districts to take a cue by meeting regularly to plan for 2023.
His words, “We want to thank you for voting massively for our leader, Senator Dickson. That election was our first outing and it was indeed a litmus test for the level of acceptance of our government.
“It is the first time we are meeting in this number since we came into power. So let me also thank you for supporting us all through the litany of court cases that followed our emergence.
“You really proved yourselves as people with integrity by defending the existing zoning agreement between Sagbama and Ekeremor. We also appreciate you for the unity you exude by meeting always to discuss ways to strengthen our party.
“I’m aware that you meet every quarter in the year. And I want to recommend what you are doing in Bayelsa West to the other districts. They should take a cue from you and start meeting to plan for 2023.
“I’m saying this because 2023 is not far. It is already with us. With the shenanigans that are going on, we need to put ourselves together to withstand any storm that will come our way. We must maintain the dominance of our party.”
Speaking earlier, the Senator representing Bayelsa West, Senator Seriake Dickson, explained that he decided to provide the liaison office to enable him connect more effectively with his constituents.
Senator Dickson assured the people that, apart from being a voice for them, Bayelsa and the Ijaw nation at the National Assembly, he would do everything within his reach to tackle their problems.
The former Bayelsa Governor, who was full of appreciation to his constituents, particularly the elders, women and youths of the PDP, regretted that the Thank You Tour could not hold as earlier planned due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
While promising to engage his people in several ways, Senator Dickson urged them to continually embrace the spirit of togetherness and love for themselves and the PDP, which he described as an Ijaw party.
The state Chairman of PDP, Mr Solomon Aguananagha, Deputy Speaker, Bayelsa House of Assembly, Hon. Mike Ogbere, Chairman of the Bayelsa West Senatorial District Caucus, Chief Thompson Okorotie were among notable party chieftains that delivered goodwill messages at the event.
