Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson, has appealed to all former leaders and members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) to return to the party.
The governor urged the defectors, many of whom left the ruling party after the defeat of former President Goodluck Jonathan at the last April presidential elections, to return and join him in his re-election for the development of the state.
A Government statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson, said the appeal became necessary against the backdrop of what Dickson felt was the “humiliation and betrayal” meted to the defectors by the APC leadership in the state.
The governor claimed that recent development aftermath the APC governorship primaries in the state, rendered the former PDP members as onlookers in their quest for political participation and relevance.
He posited that the opposition party did not represent any viable alternative to peace, unity and development of the state.
Dickson reminded the defectors that the APC leadership in the state boast of a repressive and retrogressive past, which will not serve any better purpose in the present political dispensation.
He also stated that the forthcoming election in the state was not about him, but for the greater good of Bayelsa State, urging the defectors to put their grievances behind them and join hands with him in the interest of the state.
“We may have had our differences, but in the light of current realities, it is only desirable that all our former members return to the PDP and join hands with me for greater development of Bayelsa State.
“Certainly we cannot afford a return to the dark days of our past and allow the state slid into anarchy, killings, maiming, kidnappings, cultism and state-sponsored terrorism directed at political opponents.
“The harrowing experiences of many Bayelsans, who fled into exile in neighbouring states under the APC candidate when he held sway as governor for five years remain vivid.
“Such experiences should not be allowed to be repeated, and this is why we have to reason together and make amends”, Dickson said.
The governor charged Bayelsans not to be afraid or be intimidated, but rather, come out en-mass and exercise their civic duty on election day with assurances of adequate security arrangement across the state.
He assured the people that nobody would rig the election, adding that the votes of every Bayelsan will count and results will be declared in every polling unit.
“Let me assure you all Bayelsans that the fear of rigging in this election, reasonable as it sounds, will not be possible. Nobody can rig this election, because the whole world will be in Bayelsa to monitor the process.
“When you vote on election day, wait and be a monitor yourself. There will be adequate security and law enforcement agencies will be fully on ground.
“All key federal institutions, such as INEC and other agencies would also be on ground to ensure there are no hitches or give room for manipulation in favour of a particular candidate,” Dickson assured.
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