Exhibit honesty during Bayelsa guber poll, Dickson urges corps members

Governor Seriake Dickson has urged members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), who are to be deployed as election officers for the November 16,2019 gubernatorial election in Bayelsa State to exhibit honesty during the exercise.He made the appeal yesterday during the close of the 2019 Batch “B” stream two orientation course at the state’s permanent orientation camp in Kaiama.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the governor, who was represented by the Chief of Staff to Government House, Talford Ongolo, urged them to work with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure credibility.He called on the corps members to remain apolitical in the course of discharging their duties as ad hoc staff.

Dickson said: “You are on a national duty in our state at a very crucial time. You are aware that Bayelsa is preparing for its governorship election in November. “Hopefully, INEC will engage your services as ad hoc staff in the state. I honestly advise you not to lose focus of your critical duty to our democracy.”

The governor also urged the corps members to be security conscious, saying: “Avoid engaging in any form of electoral malpractices, adhere strictly to guidelines and ensure a credible, free and fair process.”He warned employers of labour in the state against rejecting corps members posted to their establishments.The governor stressed that the state government would deal decisively with any head of establishment that rejects corps member without a genuine reason.

Dickson continued: “The state government will continue to engage corps members in developmental programmes for the mutual benefit of the state and the scheme.“ I urge you to initiate and embark on viable projects that will positively impact on your host communities.” Earlier, the NYSC State Coordinator, Mrs. Elizabeth Ojugo, commended the state government for its support to the scheme.

She pledged commitment to the growth of Nigeria’s electoral system, noting: “I can assure you that our members who will work during the election will be good ambassadors.“We have told them to put the nation first by shunning all forms of electoral irregularities. They are aware that offenders will be prosecuted according to the electoral laws.”