Chief Andy Oputa, a key member of the Bayelsa Elders Council (BEC) has denied news making rounds in certain sections of the media that the group has endorsed the second term bid of Governor Seriake Dickson.
In a statement made available to newsmen, Oputa said that although BEC held a meeting with the governor and his deputy, Rear Admiral John Jonah (rtd) on November 15 at the Wetland Centre, Yenagoa, Governor Dickson only received blessings from the first class chiefs present at the meeting as the tradition demands, Daily Post reports.
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.”
Oputa also 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).
The Bayelsa Elders Council denial comes weeks after the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) said that it is not in support of the re-election of Seriake Dickson as the governor of Bayelsa state.
However, many have suggested that the battle will be a two-horse race between a solidly backed Governor Seriake Dickson, against the self-acclaimed experienced former governor Chief Timipre Sylva. However, some have tipped the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM) candidate, Moses Simon to spring a surprise.
In a statement made available to newsmen, Oputa said that although BEC held a meeting with the governor and his deputy, Rear Admiral John Jonah (rtd) on November 15 at the Wetland Centre, Yenagoa, Governor Dickson only received blessings from the first class chiefs present at the meeting as the tradition demands, Daily Post reports.
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.”
Oputa also 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).
The Bayelsa Elders Council denial comes weeks after the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) said that it is not in support of the re-election of Seriake Dickson as the governor of Bayelsa state.
However, many have suggested that the battle will be a two-horse race between a solidly backed Governor Seriake Dickson, against the self-acclaimed experienced former governor Chief Timipre Sylva. However, some have tipped the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM) candidate, Moses Simon to spring a surprise.
