…SAYS NO ENDORSEMENT OF ANY ASPIRANT UNTIL CONVENTION
Daniel Efe/Port Harcourt
The Bayelsa State Chapter of the People’s Democratic Party has said that it has not endorsed former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar as its presidential candidate as he is prepared to receive all presidential aspirants under the platform of the party.
The State Chairman of the Party, Chief Moses Cleopas, said in a statement on Wednesday that the position of the State chapter of the party as endorsed by the leader of the party, His Excellency, Gov Henry Seriake Dickson is that the party would receive all aspirants and accord each of them the respect, hospitality and the courtesy they deserve.
He stressed that while it was the position of the party to receive and hold consultative talks with all aspirants, the party in the state would not endorse any particular candidate before the convention.
Cleopas noted that the decision of who to endorse for Presidential candidacy of the party would be collectively taken by the state at the convention of the party.
He said, “The Bayelsa State chapter of the PDP will receive all presidential aspirants under the platform of the party. The party in Bayelsa will ensure that all presidential aspirants are treated fairly with the respect and courtesy they deserve.
“However, it is the position of the state chapter of the party that there would be no endorsement of any particular candidate before the convention.
“The position of the state would be decided collectively and expressed at the convention ground.”
Cleopas said that it was indeed encouraging that people of integrity with the requisite political clout were aspiring to run for the Presidency in the 2019 election on the platform of the PDP.
He stressed that the PDP had the strength to wrest political power from the APC in 2019, with its vast spread and visible presence in all the 774 local government areas and indeed every ward in the country.
The party chairman who stressed that Bayelsa is a PDP State thanked the leaders and members of the party for turning out en mass to receive one of the Presidential Aspirants, Atiku Abubakar at a very shot notice and encouraged them to do same for other aspirants as they come visiti.
Meanwhile, Atiku Abubakar on Wednesday gave kudos to Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State for transforming the state through purposeful leadership and the execution of people-oriented projects. He said so far, Dickson is clearly the all-time best Governor of the state and expressed confidence that he will finish very strong in 2020!
A statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Francis Ottah Agbo, quoted the former VP to have given the commendation at the commissioning of the state public service secretariat, Annex 6 in Yenagoa, as part of his 2-day visit to the state.
He also attributed the political stability and achievements recorded so far in Bayelsa State to the peaceful transition from one PDP government to another since the return to civil rule in 1999.
Describing Bayelsa as a calm and peaceful state, Alhaji Atiku said he had travelled through the waterways and creeks of Bayelsa, which afforded him the opportunity of seeing first hand, the living conditions of the people in the Niger Delta.
His words:
“I am not a stranger in this state, I have been associating with the people of Bayelsa since we launched the process of returning this country to democratic governance. Bayelsa is calm and peaceful.
“Sometimes at odd hours, we used to travel through the creeks of Bayelsa and the entire Niger Delta. There are a few Nigerians who are as conversant with the conditions of the people of the Niger Delta as myself.”
In his remarks, Governor Seriake Dickson reiterated his administration’s commitment to making Bayelsa one of the leading states in the country by improving on the infrastructural base of the state.
The Governor expressed delight that Atiku had spent valuable time in the state and has seen for himself various high profile projects being embarked upon by the restoration government including the state secretariat annex, which he noted, is among several others in the state.
Governor Dickson who assured that his administration would do more for the public service, expressed determination towards ensuring the overall welfare and well-being of the workforce to enhance efficient service delivery in the public service.
His words: “We are happy that you have spent quality time with us here in Bayelsa and you have taken time out here to be able to perform this simple but very profound duty. This is one of the several public office buildings that government has constructed.
“And today, it’s our honour and privilege that you are here with us to commission this project that is housing a number of our ministries and key public officers.”
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Barr. Lawrence Ewrudjakpor, expressed appreciation to Governor Dickson for constructing the project as it has boosted productivity of all cadre of workers.
He highlighted the importance of a conducive working environment for every worker, pointing out that, Governor Dickson has exhibited rare commitment to the welfare of the workforce.
In his contribution, the state Head of Service, Reverend Thomas Zidafamor, applauded the restoration government for building several secretariat complexes for the public service since 2012.
Reverend Zidafamor also noted the efforts of government in the construction of mass housing schemes for workers and expressed commitment to the implementation of government’s policies and programmes to the letter.