3rd May, 2015
Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt
of Bayelsa State
Threatened by mass defections due to the factions in Bayelsa state branch of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and President Goodluck Jonathan’s loss at the presidential election, Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson on Friday assured members of PDP in the state that, the government in collaboration with other stakeholders, would work assiduously to reorganise the party with a view to regaining political power at the national level come 2019.
He also noted that members who are not loyal to the party will be disciplined if the need arises. “The era of indiscipline and disloyalty that has bedeviled this party in this state is over for good. People should take this message home. We want honest and genuine members who understand the meaning of being a party man or woman and being a party official means subordinating personal interest for group interest.
“I have come to deliver a message of hope. The state is solidly PDP. The issue of indiscipline will be dealt with,” he said, noting that, “in the next couple of days the report of those disloyal members will be out and they will all be gone.”
Governor Dickson gave the assurance during his monthly interactive session with PDP members at the party’s secretariat in Yenagoa, the state capital.
He noted that, the party had been running the affairs of the country for 16 years, assuring that, PDP remains the only party that is well co-ordinated and focused to deliver the dividends of democracy in the State.
Governor Dickson noted that the party swept the polls in the last elections, as it won 20 of the 22 seats declared so far in the State House of Assembly, in addition to the three senatorial and the five House of Representative slots in the National Assembly.
Urging members of the PDP to be hopeful and trust in the party’s ability to win the two constituency seats in the State Assembly that were declared inconclusive in the last election Governor Dickson noted that the meeting was to encourage PDP members not to despair in the face of the party’s defeat at the national level.
According to him workshops would be organized to mobilize and sensitize its members towards repositioning the party as a formidable political platform to be reckoned with.
He said he would hold consultations with the party leadership to organize a thanksgiving service to acknowledge the role of God in the affairs of the state, as there has been relative peace and stability, since he came on board as well as a victory rally to demonstrate the PDP’s supremacy at the state level.
Expressing appreciation to members of the state working committee for their commitment and to Bayelsans for their support, he disclosed that, the government would embark on a PDP sensitization tour towards boosting the level of mobilization in the 105 wards and the various local Government areas.
On issues of indiscipline and anti-party activities, the Governor said, the leadership of the party was awaiting the report of the committee reviewing the conduct of party officials during the last elections, stressing that, those found culpable would be expelled from the party.
He also said, the Government was working closely with the party leadership to organize a rousing reception for President Goodluck Jonathan, calling on members to come out in their numbers to give him a heroic welcome on 29 May.
“It would be an emotional event for some of us receiving the President of the country, who is from the state.”
Earlier, the acting chairman of the state PDP, Chief Serena Dokubo-Spiff, ascribed the party’s success at the polls to the PDP’s leadership in the state and commended the governor for his unwavering support to President Jonathan and the manner he has steered the party’s affairs.
Chief Dokubo-Spiff, who eulogized the governor’s qualities, expressed his belief that Governor Dickson would be elected come 2016 to serve a second term in office given his record of achievements.
Also Speaking, Secretary of the state PDP, Mr. Godspower Keku, said the monthly interactive sessions with the State Working Committee and other party officials was one of the key factors that resulted in the electoral victory in the state.