Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State, has declared that the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), is pleased with the opposition roles being played by his counterpart in Ekiti State, Mr Ayodele Fayose, in the polity of the nation.
Dickson, who said Ekiti is fortunate to have Fayose as a Governor, considering the developmental strides of his government, which he said has given the state a befitting face-lift , said the governor’s critical appraisal of President Muhammadu Buhari’s government , has helped in deepening democracy and had given hope to the hopeless.
The Bayelsa Governor also expressed optimism that judiciary will save the PDP in the Ondo Governorship logjam by returning the name of Mr. Eyitayo Jegede as the candidate of the party, pleading with the third arm of government to determine the case before it expeditiously before election day.
The Governor spoke in Ado Ekiti and at the palace of Ewi of Ado Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adeyemo, on Wednesday while in the state to felicitate with Governor Fayose on his 56th birthday.
On the lingering crisis in the Niger Delta region , leading to the vandalism of oil installations , Dickson said all the governors in the south-south are collaborating with the federal government to halt the menace.
Dickson described criticisms as the bedrock of democracy, saying Fayose has naturally become the opposition leader in Nigeria and said the PDP is enjoying his sterling leadership qualities .
“We want to thank Governor Fayose for being the voice of the opposition. He has been the voice of the oppressed in the country and he has become a great party leader . We want our democracy to be protected , because we don’t want a situation whereby governance will be personalized.
“The judiciary and the legislative arms, the media and the rights of every Nigerian must be respected under democracy. Nobody, under democracy must be disrespected and once this begins to happen, it is no longer democracy but autocracy.
“The PDP nurtured democracy in the country for 16 years and we didn’t ride on the opposition. We even lost a major election , which was last presidential election and we accepted our loss.
“So, to us in the PDP, Fayose is doing a good job as the voice of the opposition”, he said.
Dickson commended Fayose for embarking on what he described as ‘high profile projects’ like the flyover bridge, new Oja Oba Market and the high court complex, in spite of the hard-biting economic recession in the country.
“It takes a leader who has the interest of the commoners at heart to embark on these projects when only three states can successfully pay salaries of workers. The flyover in Ado Ekiti is one of the longest in the southwest. I am in love with it and the new Oja Oba market under construction.
“The PDP family has every cause to thank God and the people of Ekiti State whose supports made the achievements possible. And I believe that with your continued supports, more dividends of democracy are coming”.
On the political conundrum in Ondo State, Dickson “pleaded with the judiciary not to waste time on the cases before it”.
“PDP is very strong in Ondo State and in Nigeria. It is our prayers that the judiciary will get it right for the PDP’s candidate to be restored before the election day”.
Dickson also advised the federal government to show more commitments and understanding “by engaging and dialogue more so that the crisis in the Niger Delta region can be resolved soon”.
Oba Adejugbe commended Dickson for his outstanding leadership qualities, saying his actions have helped in building a strong bridge of relationship between Ekiti and the Ijaws.
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