Dickson emerges PDP candidate for Bayelsa guber as Fayose attacks Buhari over INEC boss

Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State, on Thursday, emerged the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the December 5 governorship election in the South-South state.
Dickson contested the primary election as the only aspirant, following the earlier disqualification of three aspirants and withdrawal of another.
Announcing the result, the Chairman of the Election Panel, Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State, commended the delegates for their peaceful conduct, adding that this was an indication that PDP was ready to set good example for other parties to follow.
“ A total of 476 delegates were listed for the election, 452 people were accredited, 24 were absent while five votes were voided.
“Governor Dickson, having scored 447 votes in the Bayelsa PDP governorship primary election, I declare him the winner; he is now returned as the party’s gubernatorial candidate in the state.
“The election today shows that PDP is united and the transparency in the election is commendable. I must say that PDP will continue to be united not only in Bayelsa but Nigeria at large.
In his response, Dickson said he was ready to continue to pilot the affairs of the people of the state.
“I commend you all, for the support and today has shown that PDP is a peaceful party. PDP is strong in Bayelsa and there is no space for other parties come December 5.
“I hereby, announced to you that my able Deputy Governor, John Jonah, will still be my running mate for the governorship race, I thank you all,” Dickson said.
Meanwhile, Fayose, once again, declared that “it is wrong on the part of President Muhammadu Buhari to appoint his in-law as the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), especially now that the nation is warming up for the conduct of election in Kogi and Bayelsa states”.
Speaking in Yenagoa, he said the PDP is closely monitoring the activities of INEC, submitting that at the appropriate time, its hidden agenda will be made public.
According to him, “I have complained very clearly about the choice of the INEC chairperson. Nobody can give us an INEC chairman that is his daughter or in-law. This is our country and nobody can run us out of Nigeria.
“Therefore, we are watching INEC and its activities. We will not allow you to play pranks. This is an Ijaw state and so they are going nowhere. This is a PDP-controlled state. No hidden agenda will work in Bayelsa.”
On the preparedness of the party for the December 5 poll, Fayose told Dickson not to worry about the ranting of APC, adding, “In our place, it is one stone that scatters so many birds. Your (Dickson) stone will scatter their birds. I’ve worked with them before. I know their style and antics. So, fear not.
“If you read the book of Joshua chapter one, it says, fear not. So, don’t be afraid but be courageous because their armies will bow to your army.
“I am conducting this PDP primary in Bayelsa transparently in line with the PDP guidelines. I am not ready to dodge out of this stadium to run away. The truth will stand the test of time and speak for itself.
Describing Dickson as a great fighter, he assured him of victory in the election.
According to him, “You have won the battle already. This is not a party where they will do one primary today and cancel it tomorrow. In this our own, there will be no cancellation. This is an authority in Bayelsa.
“Nigeria respects my voice because I am not given to frivolities and propaganda. I am here to conduct an election that will stand the test of time.
On former President Goodluck Jonathan, he described him as a true son of Africa, adding, “You have done what no African leader could do. You threw in the towel to save Nigeria. You gave us the relative peace we are enjoying. You remain a man after my heart.
“I am a governor that has no apology for supporting you. Everybody must remember that it is a virtue to be courageous to defend the truth.
“Jonathan is a man to be recognised in the whole world. He conducted an election that worked against his interest but he gave it up. Jesus Christ did exactly the same.”