By Myke Uzendu, Abuja
Political Stakeholders from Sagbama and Ekeremor Local Government Areas in Bayelsa West Senatorial District have appealed to the immediate past Bayelsa State governor, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson to seek for a second tenure at the upper chamber of the National Assembly.
The group stated that as part of their commitment to the course, they have contributed money to procure the Expression of Interest and Nomination forms in support of his reelection bid.
Speaking with newsmen after procuring the forms, the group led by the Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Michael Ogbere, said that Senator Dickson did exceptionally well as Governor for two years and did a lot of life touching projects in the area.
He said that the Ekeremor people are impressed by his overwhelming performance and unparalleled energy on issues of concern in the district, Bayelsa, the Ijaw Nation and even the Niger Delta especially the road linking Ekeremor and Sagbama.
They called on the Senator to contest the 2023 election on the strength of his impressive credentials in Bayelsa West senatorial.
Hon. Ogbere dismissed the issue of zoning in the state, saying that the arrangement has never been respected by past aspirants. He added that previous aspirants from Ekeremor even contested for third time and a former Deputy Governor from the area, Peremobowei Ebebi, contested and pursued the case on the electoral dispute to the Supreme Court where he lost, an indication that zoning is no longer a norm.
Adding his voice, a former Speaker of the old Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Tuesday Kemeagbegh chronicled the exploits of Senator Dickson, including the Sagbama Ekeremor Road and many others noting that it would be unfair and a monumental disservice for Bayelsa West to tell him to leave after doing just two years in the National Assembly.
He challenged those who are opposed to Senator Dickson to contest by campaigning with their contributions to the development of the people of the District.
He stressed that the Ijaw people are in dire need of efficient, skilled and credible brand of vibrant representation which Senator Dickson provides effortlessly.
Further speaking, a former Permanent Secretary, Head of Service who is the Chairman of the Bayelsa Civil Service Commission, Peter Singabele, said that Dickson has impacted so much in diverse ways too numerous to mention on the lives of the people of the area and must continue with his brand of productive leadership at the Senate.
While receiving his supporters the elated Senator Dickson accepted the senatorial nomination form, describing the act as humbling, encouragement and unflinching commitment to the promotion of the interest of the District.
He said that Bayelsa West, the Ijaw Nation, the Niger Delta were in dire need of skilled, experienced and effective representation as the nation moves towards a critical period of transition.
“This is going to be a very trying period, a transition unlike any other before now. And at this very difficult period, when our country is pregnant; pregnant with problems, pregnant with expectations, I agree that that we need steady hands at the Centre to continue to guide and to support and to make the case that we have make for our people.
“For some time a number of you have been discussing with me on the need for continued experience and deployment of our national image and network at this particular time in the service of our people. And you have all given your various reasons as to why we should be in the ballot one more time again.
“And today after examining the various reasons and the need for steady experienced hand at the National Assembly and in the Senate in particular for Bayelsa West, for Bayelsa State and for the Ijaw nation, working with other friends and allies in the service of our people in Niger Delta and Nigeria, and after listening to all the argument and the cases that have been made, I am humbled to accept this to continue to provide support this offer to run.
“I do so appreciating the need to be there to guide and to support the government of our people back home. The need to be a rallying unit, the need to mobilize and galvanize support for our party, the need to be involved as this country moves towards a very momentum election and transition.
“This is going to be a very trying period, a transition unlike any other before now. And at this very difficult period, when our country is pregnant, pregnant with problems, pregnant with expectations, I agree that that we need steady hands at the Centre to continue guide and to support and to make the case that we have to do for our people.
Present at the event were Hon. Michael Ogbere (Deputy Speaker Bayelsa State House of Assembly), Mr Fyneman Wilson, (Chairman PDP Caucus, Sagbama,) Chief Perekeme Bertola, (Chair Ekeremor LGA), Hon Embeleakpo Alele ( Chairman LGA), Chief Victor Okubonanabo ( Executive Secretary Subeb), Tuesday Kemegbeye (former Speaker Old Rivers state) Dr Singabele Peter(Chairman Civil service Commission, Chef Suru Oyarede (Formal Permanent Secretary, Hon Godbless Oyinke, Hon Tolu Amatu, Esq Bourdilion Ogugubeni, Ekeremor Senatorial Coordinator), Hon Dick Bekekeme, and Hon Mark Ayoro,Others are Sinkumo Ekisah, (Commissioner for Special Duties), Chief Lucky Asanakpo, Bayelsa Volunteers, Comrade Stephen Okeima, Chief Ben Eyororokumoh, Elder simeon Epebifiye, Barr Billy Tobiyei, Hon Randy Awolowo, Barr Alex Tesufa Dombo, art Hon Didi Enginekeme, Barr Swipe Odudu, Hon Bekes Etifa, Hon Biu Chursor Obosi , Ebilade Erekefe ( IYC spokesman Miller Ebiowei,Hon Richman Samuel Edekwe, Hon David K Nanakumo and others.
