January 9: Southern Ijaw youths back Dickson

Youths of Southern Ijaw Local Government of Bayelsa State have declared total support and re-affirmed their resolve to vote massively for Governor Henry Seriake Dickson in the re-scheduled January 9 election in the area.
The youth, represented by the Presidents of the various communities in the council, in an enlarged meeting with Dickson in Government House, Yenagoa, premised their support for him on his sincerity of purpose and sterling leadership qualities in the almost four years of the restoration government.
According to them, Dickson has proved himself as a worthy leader, whose achievements will stand the test of time, particularly in the areas of security, infrastructure development and human capacity building.
Dickson urged them to mobilise their people and vote massively for the PDP, as the party has already won the election, in spite of INEC declaring it inconclusive.
Dickson, who expressed gratitude to the youth for their show of solidarity, noted that victory is not complete until the Southern Ijaw election is won by the PDP, as the party represents the overall interest of the Ijaw people.
He said: “The APC is afraid of defeat that is why they decided to mar the poll with violence, in spite of that, be peaceful and conduct yourselves properly during the forthcoming poll, as all your leaders are behind the party.
“In a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja, all the agencies of the government, including the security, INEC and others have agreed to conduct a peaceful election, without bias from any interested party, as the result will be determined by the use of PVC.”
In his remarks, Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Konbowei Benson, expressed appreciation to Dickson for his decision in addressing the youths of the area, ahead of the re-scheduled poll.
He assured that Southern Ijaw was committed to delivering its votes for the PDP, calling on the youths not to be deceived by the machinations of the All Progressives Congress and Chief Timipre Sylva.
Also speaking, Joshua Macaiva, described Dickson as a visionary leader, who has made a mark in the art of governance in his first term and enjoined the youths to support Dickson for re-election.
The co-ordinator of the Bayelsa Volunteer Scheme, Mr. Felix Bonny Ayah, lauded Dickson for fulfilling his promise of incorporating all youth presidents into the scheme.
Youth Presidents of Oporoma, Amassoma, Koluama and Ekowe also spoke on the need to renew the mandate of Dickson and moved the motion for the endorsement of the governor, which was unanimously supported by all.