By Sampson Boroh
The immediate past governor of Bayelsa State, Hon. Seriake Dickson, has been endorsed as the Peoples Democratic Party’s candidate for the forthcoming bye-election to fill the senate seat for Bayelsa West Senatorial District at the National Assembly.
Dickson’s candidacy was adopted by the state governor, Senator Douye Diri and Bayelsa leadership of the PDP.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed October 31 for the senatorial bye-election in the state.
Bayelsa governor, Senator Diri described his predecessor as a perfect fit to represent Bayelsa West in the Senate, saying that the people of the area deserve strong character such as Dickson to represent the district at the National Assembly.
While speaking during the inauguration of the Bayelsa West campaign Council ahead of the Senatorial bye-election, he expressed optimism that the former governor will deliver on his mandate if given the chance.
He called on the people of Bayelsa West to rally round him to make his ambition a reality.
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Diri said, “I was really very happy when I saw the calibre of people seated here from Bayelsa West Senatorial District, the unity of purpose and the way you have carried on before today. This is a confirmation. I am envious of this senatorial district for you have set the pace.
“Importantly, I believe that the former governor served his heart out and for that reason everybody that matters in Bayelsa West politically have decided that this is where we will remain come rain come sun.
“For me, it is a period of reflection as our leader, the former governor, has done well serving our state meritoriously and the senatorial district. If he had not done well, I don’t believe that all these elders and leaders will gather today to be inaugurated for service again by our former governor at the National Assembly.”
The Chairman of the PDP in the State, Chief Solomon Agwanana announced that the automatic ticket of the party has been given to the ex-governor based on the decision of the stakeholders and top political players of the party in the district.
According to Agwanana, stakeholders and top political players of the party from Bayelsa West had agreed not to pick the party’s nomination form for the Senatorial District out of respect for the former governor.
“The people of the Senatorial District are unanimous in the position that Chief Dickson has the capacity, the pedigree and indeed the tested voice to provide the seriously needed effective representation at the Senate”.
“While Bayelsa Central has five aspirants jostling for the PDP ticket, the West has only Chief Dickson whose ticket was procured for him by a coalition of stakeholders. Chief Dickson has a track record in the National Assembly as a former member of the House of Representatives aside from his sterling performance as the first ever two-term Governor òf Bayelsa State”, the Bayelsa PDP chairman added.
