A key member of the Bayelsa Elders Council, BEC, Chief Andy Oputa, on Wednesday denied that the group endorsed the re-election bid of Bayelsa State Governor. Seriake Dickson.
Oputa, however, confirmed that the council held a meeting with the governor and his deputy, Rear Admiral John Jonah (rtd) on November 15 at the Wetland Centre, Yenagoa.
Oputa, in a statement, said the council at the meeting deliberated on the state of Bayelsa and, thereafter, raised a four-point communique.
He said the governor only received blessings from the first class chiefs present at the meeting as the tradition demands.
His words: “I was physically present at a meeting held by the council on 15th November, 2015 and l hereby react to a purported news item making the rounds in certain sections of the media in Bayelsa State to the effect that the Bayelsa Elders Council endorsed Governor Dickson’ second term bid.
“I maintain that there was no resolution to that effect and could not have been since the BEC is non-partisan. Rather the governor received blessings from the first class chiefs present as tradition demands.
“The four-point resolution adopted by the council are well documented and duly signed by the chairman and the publicity secretary. I strongly advise politicians and other political office seekers not to make political capital out of meetings of this highly respected elders council.”
The communique, which did not show any endorsement of Dickson, urged all political parties, candidates and supporters to be of good conduct in the interest of peace and in accordance with the Peace Accord they signed with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
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