200 ex-militants endorse Dickson, vow to end kidnapping in Bayelsa; Lokpobiri loses home support

Over 200 former freedom fighters under the aegis of Peace and Cultural Development Initiative (PCDI) have pledged to work with the state government and the security agencies to arrest the trend of kidnapping and other forms of crime in Bayelsa State.
The support was sequel to the rising cases of kidnapping and insecurity in the waterways in the South-South state.
The leader of PCDI, Chief Jepthah Kalaiti, who made the pledge during a courtesy call on Bayelsa State governor, Henry Seriake Dickson, said their decision to partner with government was premised on the outstanding performance and achievements of the incumbent governor, especially in the area of security and his quest to transform the state by attracting investors from allover the globe.
Kalaiti said they were impressed with the performance of Dickson in close to four years in office and therefore seized the occasion to endorse his re-election bid for another term in office.
The ex-agitators stressed that by the pace of achievements within the short period and as a good and supportive father and leader of Ijaw Nation, it behooves for them as a group to stand shoulder to shoulder and fight for peace in the State before, during and after the elections.
Kalaiti said they have organized themselves into groups in readiness for operation against kidnappers in the state and against mischief makers during the election, adding that they have lived and worked together as a group and know how to work in synergy.
In his response, Dickson reiterated his commitment to the peace and development of the state, as no meaningful development could take place in the atmosphere of crisis.
He, therefore, solicited the support of the ex-militant leaders in putting an end to the spate of kidnapping and other vices in some parts of the state.
Dickson said their wealth of experience as freedom fighters and youth with background knowledge of the creeks and hinterlands would be needed to stem the activities of mischief makers in the state and the region.
He said” “I thank you for your continued support that has enabled us to embark on developmental projects without harassment of contractors. The struggle of Ijaw nation is not a criminal act and I want to solicit your support and participation in the security of our State to forestall kidnapping.
“I also want to call on you to work for peace and security as whatever crisis that erupt in Bayelsa will affect not only the entire Niger Delta States but the entire Country as a whole. The continued peaceful co-existence of the Nigerian nation is in the interest of the Ijaw people. But in the present political contention, what is needed is your Permanent Voter Cards; so all you need is to get your PVCs ready.”
Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress (APC) recorded another defeat on Thursday as over 2,000 youths from Ekeremor Local Government, the home base of its governorship Campaign Director, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, declared their support for Dickson.
Describing the achievements of the governor in the various sectors of the economy as unprecedented, the youth under the aegis of EKELGA Federated Youths Worldwide in a statement jointly signed by its President, Orugo Kuro Robert, Youth leader, Living Mitin, Youth leader, Tare Porri and Woman leader, Helen Orus, said this necessitated their action.
Dickson, according to the statement, has been able to prove the doubting Thomases wrong with his numerous achievements, especially in the areas of security, Health, Education, infrastructure to mention but few.
The statement reads: “After due consultation with major youth leaders in the local government, we unanimously endorsed Hon. Seriake Dickson for second term in office as the Governor of Bayelsa State.
“Having considered the developmental strides of the governor in his first term in office, especially the Sagbama/Ekeremor Senatorial District road and other key projects that are on-going in the area, the youth council, therefore, agreed to support the Governor in his second term bid in order to enable him complete the projects.”
The foremost youth body, therefore, called on the entire youth body in the area to come out enmasse and vote for the governor come December 5, 2015.
The group also stressed the need for the youth to defend their votes by ensuring that it counts.