Dickson’s day in Yenagoa.
Last Saturday’s mega rally and the flag presentation to the Peoples Democratic Party PDP governorship candidate in Bayelsa State, Governor Seriake Dickson was the culmination of his nearly one month community to community, meet the people tour in which he traversed the length and breadth of state reaching out to all the communities and also passing the night in some of these communities with the message, “vote for PDP for peace and stability.”
Gov Dickson
The epoch making event, which took place at the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa witnessed yet another unprecedented crowd of supporters of the PDP who besieged the venue as early as 7am for an event billed for 10 am. In spite of the sweltering sun, the thousands of supporters waited patiently for the commencement of the event dubbed mother of all rallies, which did not start until about 1.55pm when former President Goodluck Jonathan arrived the venue in company of Governor Dickson.
The former President took time to go round the venue to acknowledged cheers from the teeming supporters. Security operatives had a hectic time controlling the crowd as the various support groups of the party and its candidate battled to outdo one another with their dance steps and giant banners echoing their support for the re-election of Governor Dickson.
Though the All Progressive Congress APC is expected to hold its mega rally, today at the same venue, political observers in the predominantly riverine state are unanimous in their view that the presence of the former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, the National Working Committee of PDP, some PDP governors, an array of National Assembly members from the state and the South South among others was symbolic of the preparedness of the party to maintain its control of the state and ensure the region remains a PDP stronghold.
The former president, who graced the occasion, in his solidarity message restated his unapologetic support for Dickson amongst other contenders, insisting that he (Dickson) will take Bayelsa to a greater height.
Describing Bayelsa State as a PDP stronghold, Jonathan declared that Dickson by all conceivable standards has performed creditably well and is qualified to do a second term in office. He called on Bayelsans particularly the youths to secure their future by voting for the PDP in the Saturday election noting that Dickson is the only candidate that can secure their future.
Dr. Jonathan described Dickson as a visionary leader and stressed the need for Bayelsans to reciprocate his good deeds in terms of provision of infrastructure and laying of the foundation for investment and entrepreneurship to thrive in the state.
His words, “for the past 16 years, being a pioneer deputy governor and an Acting governor at the state level, a vice president and president of our country, I am in a pposition to say that Dickson has tried and is still trying.”
The former President who also commissioned the first flyover in Yenagoa and the newly dualised Azikoro Road also in Yenagoa shortly after the rally added, “We should all be concerned about what Bayelsa will be in the 25 years and beyond and not what we want to gain today. You can only see that from the kind of policies, projects and programmes that a governor brings.”
Performing the flag handing over ceremony, the Acting National Chairman of the party, Prince Uche Secondus lampooned the Buhari led federal government for running the nation’s economy aground six months into office and urged Bayelsans to totally reject the All Progressive Congress APC in Saturday’s election.
Prince Secondus who noted that the PDP was aware of clandestine moves being made to rig the election, called on the electorate to come out en mass to vote for the PDP and stand firm to defend their electoral rights.
Also, the chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko described the APC government as clueless and without direction in managing the national economy.
In his speech, Dickson said the flag presentation was the climax of his community to community meet the people tour stressing that from his interaction with the people, he was convinced that PDP would emerge victorious.
He reiterated his commitment to a peaceful poll and stressed the need for the federal government to do everything within its reach to ensure a free and fair election in state.
He expressed appreciation to the National Working Committee of the PDP and his teeming supporters within and outside the state, noting that the turnout has further confirmed that the people of the state have rejected the leading opposition party APC.
Among dignitaries at the flag presentation are the Acting Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees, Haliru Bello, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, Vice Chairman, PDP, South South Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, Chief Olisa Metuh, serving and former National Assembly members including Senator Adolphus Wabara, Ibrahim Mantu, Chief Emeka Ihedioha, Hon Leo Ogor among others.
Gov Dickson
The epoch making event, which took place at the Samson Siasia Stadium, Yenagoa witnessed yet another unprecedented crowd of supporters of the PDP who besieged the venue as early as 7am for an event billed for 10 am. In spite of the sweltering sun, the thousands of supporters waited patiently for the commencement of the event dubbed mother of all rallies, which did not start until about 1.55pm when former President Goodluck Jonathan arrived the venue in company of Governor Dickson.
The former President took time to go round the venue to acknowledged cheers from the teeming supporters. Security operatives had a hectic time controlling the crowd as the various support groups of the party and its candidate battled to outdo one another with their dance steps and giant banners echoing their support for the re-election of Governor Dickson.
Though the All Progressive Congress APC is expected to hold its mega rally, today at the same venue, political observers in the predominantly riverine state are unanimous in their view that the presence of the former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, the National Working Committee of PDP, some PDP governors, an array of National Assembly members from the state and the South South among others was symbolic of the preparedness of the party to maintain its control of the state and ensure the region remains a PDP stronghold.
The former president, who graced the occasion, in his solidarity message restated his unapologetic support for Dickson amongst other contenders, insisting that he (Dickson) will take Bayelsa to a greater height.
Describing Bayelsa State as a PDP stronghold, Jonathan declared that Dickson by all conceivable standards has performed creditably well and is qualified to do a second term in office. He called on Bayelsans particularly the youths to secure their future by voting for the PDP in the Saturday election noting that Dickson is the only candidate that can secure their future.
Dr. Jonathan described Dickson as a visionary leader and stressed the need for Bayelsans to reciprocate his good deeds in terms of provision of infrastructure and laying of the foundation for investment and entrepreneurship to thrive in the state.
His words, “for the past 16 years, being a pioneer deputy governor and an Acting governor at the state level, a vice president and president of our country, I am in a pposition to say that Dickson has tried and is still trying.”
The former President who also commissioned the first flyover in Yenagoa and the newly dualised Azikoro Road also in Yenagoa shortly after the rally added, “We should all be concerned about what Bayelsa will be in the 25 years and beyond and not what we want to gain today. You can only see that from the kind of policies, projects and programmes that a governor brings.”
Performing the flag handing over ceremony, the Acting National Chairman of the party, Prince Uche Secondus lampooned the Buhari led federal government for running the nation’s economy aground six months into office and urged Bayelsans to totally reject the All Progressive Congress APC in Saturday’s election.
Prince Secondus who noted that the PDP was aware of clandestine moves being made to rig the election, called on the electorate to come out en mass to vote for the PDP and stand firm to defend their electoral rights.
Also, the chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko described the APC government as clueless and without direction in managing the national economy.
In his speech, Dickson said the flag presentation was the climax of his community to community meet the people tour stressing that from his interaction with the people, he was convinced that PDP would emerge victorious.
He reiterated his commitment to a peaceful poll and stressed the need for the federal government to do everything within its reach to ensure a free and fair election in state.
He expressed appreciation to the National Working Committee of the PDP and his teeming supporters within and outside the state, noting that the turnout has further confirmed that the people of the state have rejected the leading opposition party APC.
Among dignitaries at the flag presentation are the Acting Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees, Haliru Bello, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, Vice Chairman, PDP, South South Dr. Cairo Ojougboh, Chief Olisa Metuh, serving and former National Assembly members including Senator Adolphus Wabara, Ibrahim Mantu, Chief Emeka Ihedioha, Hon Leo Ogor among others.
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