The Bayelsa State chapter of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has kicked off campaigns for the forthcoming local government elections to be held on March 23.
The event which took place at the Isaac Boro Square of the Peace Park, Yenagoa, the state capital, drew thousands of party faithfuls and supporters from all over the state.
Meanwhile, Governor Seriake Dickson has called on the chairmanship aspirants to embark on issue based and peaceful campaigns in the state.
Dickson urged the party candidates to involve all stakeholders while calling on caucus chairmen to convene meetings, take charge of campaigns and also guide and direct chairmen of their various local governments on the job at hand.
In his words: “The old era of politics of acrimony and divisions which begins at the local government level must stop. The era of disrespect for your stakeholders and leaders because you think you are a chairman and you have access to government must stop.”
He stated that “Your government will be directed by the stakeholders of our party at all levels” while describing Bayelsa as a PDP stronghold but urged candidates to go all out to win the elections.
The governor charged PDP stakeholders to demonstrate their commitment by delivering their wards to the party and stressed the need for successful aspirants to work for the collective interest of the state as he was doing at the state level.
In his speech, the representative of the national chairman, Ahmed Mohammed Gusau urged the candidates to fly the party’s flag high in the forthcoming polls.
Gboribiogha John Jonah, Bayelsa deputy governor, in his remarks, enjoined flag bearers to replicate the developmental efforts of the state government in their respective local government areas when elected.
Konbowei Benson, speaker of the State House of Assembly, called on the aspirants to take a cue from the purposeful leadership style of Governor Dickson which has brought tremendous transformation to the state.
SAMUEL ESE, Yenagoa
