Daniel Spiff, Abuja
A socio-political group, Bayelsa Youth for Peace Initiatives and Good Governance, has warned political office seekers and their cronies within and outside the state against heating up the polity.
The organization which specifically expressed dismay over the alleged ‘frosty relationship’ between Governor Seriake Dickson and the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan over 2015-16 elections, said it will start mobilizing youths against disgruntled politicians fanning the embers of discord.
In a statement, President of the group, Charles Ebi explained that the relationship between President Goodluck Jonathan, his wife and Governor Dickson are cordial.
“Governor Dickson is a notable member of the Green Movement; President Goodluck Jonathan campaign organization, then as Governor. Also, as the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Justice, Hon. Dickson was one of the leading campaigners for the enthronement of President Jonathan as Acting President and his subsequent election as President.
‘At different fora, the governor had made it known to the people, his love and support for President Jonathan and his family. Recently, Hon. Dickson as a leader of the ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party, (PDP) in the State led other members of the party in the state in endorsing the President for the second term.
‘As a true democrat, he has warned the people against politics of name dropping, blackmail and propaganda, arguing that it is against democratic norms. Leadership is about service delivery not name dropping, as we are currently experiencing in the state.
“As far as we are concerned, there is no problem between the governor and the wife of the President. The purported rift between the President’s wife and Governor Dickson is the handiwork of mischief makers and political jobbers who are hell bent in disrupting the prevailing peace and stability in the state.
“As true Ijaw sons and daughters, we do not believe in washing our dirty linen in the public. If there are issues at all, which is highly in doubt, as Ijaw people we know how to address such issues without breaching the peace and creating chaos all over the place.
“Whoever is interested in contesting any elective position should be bold enough to come out and discuss issues rather than engaging in campaign of calumny. There is no need for anyone to pitch the governor against notable personalities in the state before winning election. Let your works and achievements speak for you.
“Governor Dickson in the last three years has done so much for the state in the provision of infrastructure, affordable health care delivery, free and compulsory education at primary and secondary levels to mention just a few.
“If the trend of name dropping and campaign of calumny against the present administration continues, the group said that it would not hesitate to mobilize youths against such personalities and subsequently declare them persona non grata in state.”
