My victory, new hope for democracy, says Dickson

Governor warns
against seeking power via the back door

BAYELSA State Governor Seriake Dickson yesterday described his victory at the fiercely contested gubernatorial election as a source of new hope in the nation’s democracy.

The governor who was sworn in yesterday along with his deputy, Rear Admiral John Jonah(rtd) by the state Chief Judge, Justice Kate Abiri for a second term at an elaborate ceremony, held at the Samson Siasia Sport Complex, was joined by seven other Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors and members of the National Working Committee led by Uche Secondus.

Among the governors were Nyesom Wike (Rivers), Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta), Udoh Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom), Ayodele Fayose (Ekiti) , Dakwambo Ibrahim (Gombe) and Taraba (Darius Ishaku).

Other notable names from the PDP family include, former governor of Akwa Ibom State and Senate Minority Leader Godswill Akpabio, former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, Senator Foster Ogoli and Senator Ben Murray-Bruce.

The governor said yesterday’s event was coming at the end of political trials and tribulations from within and outside he had to manage in the last four years.

He said his swearing-in was a testimony to God’s faithfulness and mercies which showed also that power comes from God alone.

“The electoral contest for the governorship of our state will undoubtedly go into the annals of Nigerian political history as a reference point both for study and inspiration on how a people can rise to defend their democratic rights and dignity against forces of desperation and oppression,” he said.

While thanking all non-governmental organisations, foreign and local observers as well as the media for their keenly sustained interest and vigilance in the course of the elections, Dickson said that their extensive professional reportage brought a state election into such profound national and international focus that made it difficult to manipulate.

Taking a swipe at his opponents in the election, he said:”This should send a clear message to those who think that a man who lost in seven out of eight local councils in full glare of the world can somehow snatch victory through the back door by hoping to manipulate the judicial process just because his party controls the central government.

“Politicians who seek authority to govern people in our democracy must derive power from the people’s vote freely expressed through the supremacy of the ballot box and not through subterfuge, intimidation, blackmail or manipulation. That is subversion of the constitution itself.

“I am not surprised that our electoral victory has spurred a rebirth of our party, the PDP and inspired a new sense of hope in Nigeria’s democracy.

“Our experience from the last elections in Bayelsa shows that our system is far from being perfect. We must continually commit ourselves to work together to strengthen the internal processes of our parties and improve our electoral system.

“Thankfully, this victory has helped to sustain the plurality of our democracy and discountenance fears that Nigeria could slide towards a one-party state. Let a thousand flowers bloom in our garden of democracy.”

While assuring of his government’s resolve to use all available legal and legitimate means to bring the perpetrators of the violence that almost marred the election to book, the governor said there was the need to strengthen the synergy between citizens, the state government and security agencies to recapture the peace and security that prevailed prior to the elections.

He said: “We should work together to root out kidnappers, cultists and other criminals who vandalise national economic assets. The imperative of this partnership dictates for instance, that no government official or functionary at state or federal level should use their position to encourage or facilitate crime and criminality under any guise.

While many of these legacy projects have been completed and put into use, this consolidation mandate will enable us to complete ongoing projects for the benefit of our people.

“The airport project, schools, hospitals, roads, bridges and others for instance, are already at advanced stages of completion.”

Acknowledging the reality of dwindling revenue, the governor said his strategy for the second term would be to diversify the economic base beyond oil and gas to focus on agriculture and tourism.

Dickson also held out an olive branch to the opposition, telling them:”Let me say, I respect your right to hold different views.

Your participation in the process made this contest more vibrant and our victory more worthwhile and legitimate.

Yesterday we were opponents; today, we must be partners for the security, development and prosperity of Bayelsa State. I now invite you all to join me in this enterprise of consolidating the gains of restoration. Let us work together to move our dear state forward.”