Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa state is set to emerge as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the Bayelsa state governorship election, scheduled to hold in December this year.
A source within the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) told Peoples Daily that various groups within the state have endorsed the governor.
The party has therefore decided not to conduct a primary election, which they say is not in the interest of the party.
The source said, “despite opposition to the governor, the party’s leadership thought it wise to give automatic ticket to Dickson because members were convinced that he was actually on the ground in Bayelsa State. Being an incumbent, it would be more reasonable because going into primary will likely divide the party more than allowing the governor to re-contest as a sole candidate with high possibility to win the election.”
He further stated that the issue of performance was considered and Dickson excelled on that front after which he was given the first right of refusal as a because they feel he has an advantage as an incumbent and also Bayelsa state being a strategic state for the party to retain.
He said, “The honour has been unanimously accepted and adopted. It is true Governor Seriake Dickson will likely emerge as our candidate for the governorship election in Bayelsa State in due course. You know a lot of issues were considered before the national leadership gave the nod.
“First we are interested in winning the state. You can see the situation in our party now since the last election, so winning Bayelsa is a must for us. Then if you look at all the current dynamics shaping politics in that state, it is clear that we have to apply tact and come up with a winning strategy in Bayelsa State. “So, being a performing governor who also has the support of members and the state executive, he has been adopted as our sole candidate.
“How many states are paying salaries? Dickson was recently eulogized through a vote of confidence by the State House of Assembly for his regular payment of salaries and settlement of about N242 billion out of the N332 billion debts said to have been incurred by his predecessor, Timipre Sylva.”
The governor, last week, lambasted some members of the PDP in the state, who defected to the opposition, All Progressives Congress, saying their actions were motivated by greed.
A source within the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) told Peoples Daily that various groups within the state have endorsed the governor.
The party has therefore decided not to conduct a primary election, which they say is not in the interest of the party.
The source said, “despite opposition to the governor, the party’s leadership thought it wise to give automatic ticket to Dickson because members were convinced that he was actually on the ground in Bayelsa State. Being an incumbent, it would be more reasonable because going into primary will likely divide the party more than allowing the governor to re-contest as a sole candidate with high possibility to win the election.”
He further stated that the issue of performance was considered and Dickson excelled on that front after which he was given the first right of refusal as a because they feel he has an advantage as an incumbent and also Bayelsa state being a strategic state for the party to retain.
He said, “The honour has been unanimously accepted and adopted. It is true Governor Seriake Dickson will likely emerge as our candidate for the governorship election in Bayelsa State in due course. You know a lot of issues were considered before the national leadership gave the nod.
“First we are interested in winning the state. You can see the situation in our party now since the last election, so winning Bayelsa is a must for us. Then if you look at all the current dynamics shaping politics in that state, it is clear that we have to apply tact and come up with a winning strategy in Bayelsa State. “So, being a performing governor who also has the support of members and the state executive, he has been adopted as our sole candidate.
“How many states are paying salaries? Dickson was recently eulogized through a vote of confidence by the State House of Assembly for his regular payment of salaries and settlement of about N242 billion out of the N332 billion debts said to have been incurred by his predecessor, Timipre Sylva.”
The governor, last week, lambasted some members of the PDP in the state, who defected to the opposition, All Progressives Congress, saying their actions were motivated by greed.
