Dickson advocates tolerance ahead of Bayelsa guber poll

INEC warns parties against late submission of candidates’ list
As the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State begins post-primaries reconciliation, Governor Seriake Dickson has advocated tolerance and maturity among the political class ahead of the November 16 gubernatorial election.

Dickson also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other relevant agencies to ensure free, fair and credible gubernatorial elections.

A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Fidelis Soriwei, yesterday, quoted the governor as having made the call during the delayed monthly praise night for the month of August on Wednesday.

The governor advised those with ambitions to occupy political office to first seek the face of God before consulting the electorate.

He said, “You all have seen what has happened; how once again God pushed back the proud waters and the powerful people who thought that they could get this thing (governorship ticket) by force.

“I will always remind them that power comes from God. If you want power, you go on your knees to pray. Anyone who desires to lead must first serve, and we thank God for what he has done. But this is only the first phase.”

The governor said that the PDP leadership would make deliberate efforts to contact all the aspirants, with a view to bringing them back to the party without delay.

Already, post-primaries reconciliatory moves were noticed, with some of the major aspirants meeting with the governor at the Governor’s Lodge yesterday.

Those who met the governor include the deputy governor, RAdm. John Jonah; the Chief of Staff, Government House, Chief Talford Ongolo; and Keniebi Okoko.

Some of the aspirants also had informal discussions with the PDP candidate, Sen. Douye Diri, yesterday.

Dickson announced the reappointment of Ongolo, who resigned to contest the governorship primaries, as the Chief of Staff, describing him as a dependable party man who believes in the supremacy and interest of the party.

Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has warned political parties participating in the November 16 ballot in Kogi and Bayelsa states against late submission of their candidates’ list.

The national commissioner and chairman, Information and Voter Education Committee, Festus Okoye, stated that the commission would not entertain any late submission under any circumstances.

Okoye reminded political parties that deadline for the submission of the list of nominated candidates is September 9, 2019 as contained in its revised Timetable and Schedule of Activities for the polls.

He enjoined the parties to strictly comply with the timelines released by the commission.