13 parties adopt Gov Dickson as their Bayelsa candidate after PDP returns him unopposed

BAYELSA State governor Seriake Dickson has been adopted as the gubernatorial candidate of 18 political parties ahead of the state's December 5 poll following his nomination by the People's Democratic Party (PDP) as its governorship candidate yesterday.

 

Looking to get re-elected for a second term, Governor Dickson was elected at the PDP primaries held at the Samson Siasia Stadium in Yenagoa last night.  Declaring the result of the primaries in which Governor Dickson was the sole candidate, Ekiti State governor Ayo Fayose, who was the chairman of the PDP electoral panel, said the incumbent polled 447 votes.

 

A total of 476 delegates led by former President Goodluck Jonathan were listed for the exercise and according to Governor Fayose, 452 delegates were accredited  and five votes were voided while 24 delegates were absent. Acknowledging victory, Governor Dickson lauded the delegates for their peaceful conduct during the exercise, promising not to betray the confidence reposed in him.

 

Announcing the results at the conclusion of the voting, Governor Fayose said: “By the power conferred on me as the chairman of the panel, Dickson is hereby retuned as PDP governorship candidate for the December 5 polls having scored the highest valid votes of 447.’’

 

Governor Dickson used the opportunity to mock the All Progressives Congress (APC) over its Tuesday’s primaries that were marred by controversy. During the APC primaries, former Governor Timpire Sylva was declared the winner but the party's headquarters has cancelled the results and ordered a re-run after the exercise was marred with thuggery, forcing electoral panel chairman Governor Adams Oshiomole of Edo State to flee.

 

“It is with a great sense of humility and gratitude that I stand here before you all my fellow party men with whom I share this honour of being a member of a great party like this, I thank you all today. I am humble today accepting your nomination to be the humble servant of our people to fly the flag of our great party for the governorship elections that are scheduled for December 5 this year.

 

“This party is different from the other party. Few days ago, even when we did what they themselves would not have done -  we gave them this stadium to host their primaries and they made a mess of it."

 

He added that incumbent deputy governor Retired Admiral John Gborigboria Jonah will be his running mate in the elections. Among the 13 political parties that have adopted Governor Dickson as their sole governorship candidate for the polls include the ADC, Kowa, PPA, AA, Accord Party, UPN, APA, HDP, YDP, Independent Democrat, ACPN and NNPP.