The umbrella body of Ijaw youths worldwide urged President Muhammadu Buhari and the anti-graft agency to shelve any such plan to persecute the former president, insisting that such a move would spell doom for the country and the government.

At a press conference to mark the end of the burial programme for the late former governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, the IYC President, Udengs Eradiri, said almost everybody that had close relationship with the former president had been arrested by the EFCC.

The IYC president particularly condemned the recent arrest and detention of Jonathan’s cousin, Robert Azibola , a contractor over an alleged $40 million financial fraud.

Eradiri said Ijaw youths would not allow Azibola, Jonathan or any rising Ijaw leader to be persecuted by the EFCC the way the Federal Government dealt with the late Alamieyeseigha.

“They have arrested almost all our people. Azibola was arrested by the EFCC and we are calling on the EFCC to stop persecuting him further and charge him to court if there are issues.

“They detained him for a long time forcing him to make statements to indict former President Jonathan. Azibola was a businessman, contractor and has the right like every Nigerian to get contracts. Why will the Niger Delta case be a different one?

“We noticed that the same way they persecuted Alamieyeseigha has continued. After Goodluck Jonathan, our people who contributed in that administration are being persecuted by this government.

“The recent one is the ploy to arrest Goodluck Jonathan which is unfolding everyday. This must stop. President Goodluck Jonathan is the most performing president that Nigeria has ever had. We are proud of him.

“Everyday there is a calculated attempt to whittle down the achievements of President Jonathan. We call on Nigerians to mount pressure on the government to focus on leading Nigeria aright rather than looking for ways to bring down the achievements of Jonathan.

“Buhari should please focus on governance rather than persecution of people who have added value. We are not happy about it and today we use Alamieyeseigha’s death as a point of contact. The world has seen that from Alamieyeseigha it has trickled down to all the Niger Delta people.”

On the alleged removal of 10 per cent community equity from the new Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), Eradiri said they would no longer beg for the inclusion of the equity.

He said they expected the country to have known that community ownership would ameliorate the years of crisis in the Niger Delta region.

“For us, we will not beg for it. We will not even lobby anybody. The oil is our oil and we will take it. If they like, they should put it if they don’t like they should leave it. We expect that this country should have commonsense by including community participation.

“On the issue of pipeline surveillance, this 10 per cent would have covered for pipeline surveillance. Once the people know that they have 10 per cent in this business, they will protect it”, he said.

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Alamieyeseigha was laid to rest on Saturday at his country home in Amasoma, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa.

Jonathan spoke on Sunday at a thanksgiving service attended by former Senate President, Adolphus Wabara, the first Military Governor of old Rivers State, Alfred Diette Spiff, Speaker of Bayelsa Assembly, Konbowei Benson, State Chief Judge, Kate Abiri, Ijaw National Congress President, Boma Obuoforibo.

Others at the service were Ijaw Youth Council President, Udengs Eradiri, and government officials.

The service was in honour of late Alamieyeseigha, fondly called the Governor-General of Ijaw nation at the Saint Peters Anglican Church in Yenagoa.

Jonathan said Alamieyeseigha would forever be remembered as his political mentor and leader and that his legacy would remain on the sands of time.

The former president added that while some people do not live their name, Alamieyeseigha lived his full names.

He explained that “the name Solomon means peace and wisdom, while Peter means rock or fearless and Alamieyeseigha was indeed endowed with uncommon wisdom, exhibited peace and stood for justice, fairness and equity.”

He noted that Alamieyeseigha was an astute politician and leader that could never be intimidated when he was convinced about the truth or what was right and just to move society forward.

“Alamieyeseigha laid the foundation and his achievements still dot every nook and cranny of Bayelsa; even the re-designing and re-building of this cathedral (Saint Peter’s Anglican Church) was Alamieyeseigha’s legacy” Jonathan said.

According to him, Alamieyeseigha changed the state’s acronym from Pride of the Nation to Glory of All Land.

On his part, Gov. Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa described the late former governor as his pillar of strength, especially during his electioneering campaign when Alamieyeseigha served in different reconciliation committees to bring members of the PDP in the state and Ijaw people together.

He said that a major vacuum had been created by the demise and confessed that his campaign experienced its lowest moment when the death of Alamieyeseigha filtered into the state.

He lauded the people of the state who stood in solidarity with him during the 2015 poll and enjoined them to imbibe the character, virtues and forthrightness of Alamieyeseigha, whom he said was unparalleled and absolute toward the betterment of Ijaw people and the unity of all Nigerians.

Dickson prayed that God should bless Ijaw nation with many more people like Alamieyeseigha that would stand and defend her integrity.

In his remark, Bishop Oko Jaja of the Anglican Church admonished the people to emulate Alamieyeseigha who lived his life as “a candle in the wind,” adding that he was a selfless politician.

Oko noted that Alamieyeseigha was God fearing and dedicated the state to God while he was in office as governor; and prayed God to grant the wife, Mrs Margaret Alamieyeseigha and the children, the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

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Alamieyeseigha died on October 10, 2015, of high blood pressure-related ailment at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Rivers State.

The casket was lowered into the tomb he (Alamieyeseigha) prepared for himself in his Amassoma residence about 3pm after a commendation service by the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Diocese of Niger Delta West, at Amassoma Secondary School field.

The casket bearing the remains of Alamieyeseigha arrived at the commendation service venue about 12.30 pm.

Notable politicians and personalities that attended the funeral were former President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Patience; Governor Seriake Dickson and his wife, Rachael; and the National Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party, Sen. Modu Sheriff.

Others were Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha; former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Sen. Godswill Akpabio; Senator representing Bayelsa Central, Emmanuel Paulker; former Governor of Taraba State, Jolly Nyame; Senator representing Delta South, James Manager; Niger Delta activist, Ann Kio Briggs; Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, John Jonah and his Delta counterpart, Kingsley Otuaro; among others.

Most governors of the states in the Niger Delta were not seen at the funeral service but Governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, was represented at the event by his deputy, Kingsley Otuaro.

Governors of Rivers, Nyesom Wike; Edo, Adams Oshiomhole; Akwa Ibom, Udom Emmanuel; and Cross River, Prof. Ben Ayade were absent.

Prominent opposition politicians such as former Governor of Bayelsa, Timipre Sylva; former Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission, Timi Alaibe; Minister of State for Agriculture, Senator Heinekein Lokpobiri; among others did not attend the burial.

Speaking at the burial ceremony, Dickson said Alamieyeseigha’s demise was a trying time for the Ijaw nation.

He described the ex-governor as “a bridge builder” who believed in what is right for his people.

Dickson said, “We know we have lost a true hero but we have to put ourselves together and pray for his gentle soul to rest in peace.”

Jonathan, in his tribute, described the deceased as a man of vision who brought development to the state.

Jonathan said Alamieyeseigha’s legacy on education and infrastructural development would not be forgotten in the history of Bayelsa and Ijaw nation.

“He brought to us the Niger Delta University; he was a man with vision, champion for peace, unity and social integration,” the former President stated.

In his tribute, Sheriff said Alamieyeseigha’s death was regrettable, adding that the former governor was a real hero, who championed the emancipation of his people.

On her part, Briggs said the burial of Alamieyeseigha would be a turning point in the history of the Ijaw people and the Niger Delta.

Alamieyeseigha was pardoned by Jonathan after he was convicted of stealing Bayelsa State funds while he was governor..

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The governor had rounded off his extensive campaign tour to the Ogboin Kingdom meeting the people in Otuan, Amassoma and Amatolo communities on his re-election bid and solicited their support.

In their speeches, the traditional rulers, political leaders, youths and women groups from the kingdom lauded what they said were the impressive performance of the governor in his first term and assured him of their preparedness to make his re-election bid a reality.

Bubaraye Azebi, who spoke on behalf of the Amassoma community, lamented the sudden passage of Chief Alamieyeseigha, who he described as a political hero, but expressed confidence in the governor’s ability to sustain the vision of their deceased son in terms of developing the area in particular and the state in general.

According to him, the community was happy to identify with Dickson’s re-election because of the sense of belonging he said his administration had given to them, citing the connection of Amassoma to the national grid, appointment of several indigenes to positions of public trust, construction of the Etegwe-Tombia section of the Yenagoa/Amassoma road, building of schools and the international cargo airport in the area.

Speaker after speaker at the rally including the Commissioner for Transport, Hon Akpoebide Alamieyeseigha; a member of the state House of Assembly, Hon Kate Owoko; Chairman of Southern Ijaw Local Government Council, Chief Remember Ogbe; ex-lawmaker, Hon Kuroakigha Dorgu; Special Adviser on Youth Mobilisation, Hon Steven Diver; Chief Douye Naingba; Chief Patrick Osunu, Hon Solomon Apreala, Mrs Apretari Ogugu and Chairman of Ogboin Rural Development Authority, Hon Timpre Asari, assured the governor of victory in the area.

Responding, a highly elated Governor Seriake Dickson, expressed delight at the massive turn out and groundswell of support demonstrated by the people and announced that state government’s decision to immediately clear the outstanding electricity bills amounting to 10 million naira owed by the Amassoma community to enable them enjoy power supply.

While assuring the people of the area of more government’s presence in his second term, Dickson urged the people to remain steadfast in their support for the PDP and not allow themselves to be intimidated on the day of the election.

He reiterated his call on the Federal Government to do everything possible to provide a level playing ground for all political parties participating in the election in order to maintain the existing peace and stability in the state before, during and after the poll.

The governor, who called for a moment of silence in honour of the late Alamieyeseigha said: “Today comes across both as a sad and happy day to me and my team. Sad in the sense that if our leader were alive, he would not have only addressed us here but would have also hosted us in his house for dinner before our departure.

“But be that as it may, I know his spirit is still with us seeing the kind of support and the very warm reception you have given to me and the entire campaign team. Since the inception of my administration, I have never for once doubted your support. You have always been good to me. That is why this government will continue to carry you along in its scheme of things
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He further noted: “We have not come here to campaign but assure you that God Almighty will keep all of you safe on the day of the election as you come out to vote massively for the PDP that has always protected our interest.

“We know that the other party is not ready for election. They don’t even regard you the voters that is why they are threatening that they will win the election by any means. But I urge you not to be intimidated by anybody including those who want to wear fake military uniforms on that day.

“Come out and vote and also stay back to protect your votes because I repeat nobody can intimidate or harass you as there will be adequate security on ground.”

Present at the rally were Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (rtd), Chairman,Advisory Council of the Restoration Campaign Organisation, Sen. Nimi Barigha-Amange; Director General of the Campaign Organisation, Chief Fred Agbedi, former deputy governor of the state, Peremobowei Ebebi, among other PDP chieftains.

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They specifically commended Governor Henry Seriake Dickson for following the footsteps of Alamieyeseigha in strengthening the dominant position of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and sustaining the Niger Delta struggle in the state.

A former governor of Edo State, Chief Lucky Igbinedion, who led the delegation conveyed the condolences of the group, which comprises former governors who served the country from the inception of the present democratic dispensation in 1999.

Other members of the delegation include ex-governors Achike Udenwa (Imo State), Boni Haruna (Adamawa) and Obong Victor Attah (Akwa Ibom).

The ex-governors also paid a similar visit to the deceased family, where Igbinedion expressed sadness over the passage of the Governor-General of the Ijaw nation.

He described the late Alamieyeseigha as a fearless fighter who vehemently championed the struggle of true democracy and resource control in the country alongside other Niger Delta governors, which culminated in the emergence of a South-Southerner, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, as a President of Nigeria.

He said that although the demise of their former colleague has created a vacuum in Bayelsa, the Niger Delta and the country at large, those who believe in the political philosophy and ideals should not only take solace in the legacies he has bequeathed but also sustain them for the benefit of posterity.

In this regard, he lauded Governor Dickson for exhibiting some of the leadership qualities of Chief Alamieyeseigha especially in the area of promoting the interest of the Ijaw and Niger Delta people within the context of the larger Nigerian nation.

Igbinedion also commended the Bayelsa State Government for the steps taken so far to give its former governor a befitting burial and assured the governor of the group’s readiness to participate fully in the final rites of passage.

“This democracy we are enjoying today is as a result of the solid foundation that the Class of 99 laid. No matter what anybody says without a solid foundation no building can stand for this long. DSP Alamieyeseigha was in the forefront of that struggle for true democracy, true federalism and fiscal responsibility, and above all, the struggle for the Niger Delta.

“But I am glad that you are carrying on the struggle and representing what we stood for then because you have not given up the fight, and I believe until we reach that Promised Land, we can be responsible for our own resources, where we can give testimony for what we use our resources for our people. We have not arrived, but at least we have started.”

Responding, Governor Dickson expressed appreciation to the delegation and all Nigerians for their show of love and concern over the sad incident, noting that the visit would further strengthen the government, the bereaved family and people of the state.

Dickson said the state government and other stakeholders were still consulting with the Alamieyeseigha family on how best to honour the late Ijaw leader even at death, adding that the date and other relevant details about the burial would be transmitted to the group to enable them participate in it.

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In the open letter titled “Why the face(s) behind Timipre Sylva’s shield from prosecution by the EFCC should be uncovered”, Kpodo raised a number of issues including double standard in the Federal Government’s fight against corruption.

While appreciating President Buhari’s efforts so far in engendering a new society of probity, he was quick to point out that the reluctance of the government to prosecute Sylva was a dent on the change mantra of the administration.

“As Nigerians and faithful members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State, we use this medium to restate the facts about the perception of true progressives and indigenes of the state about the perceived double standard being set over the issues of corruption charges against former governor, Chief Timipre Sylva”, he stated.

Kpodo said that he’s concerned about the implication of the alleged partiality in respect of the Sylva’s case to the general image of the Buhari presidency on the corruption war.

He said the people would be less convincing and indeed raise objections to the integrity claim of the government when, for instance, the likes of former governors Godswill Akpabio and Gabriel Suswan were being made to face interrogation and possible prosecution by the EFCC whereas Timipe Sylva who has had established cases of financial impropriety preferred against him is moving freely.

The same scenario, he claimed, also applied to the former Petroleum minister, Dizeani Allison-Madueke, who was recently arrested on graft charges in the United Kingdom.

According to his submissions in the letter, Kpodo further drew parallel with the instance of former governor Diepreye Alameyeseigha, who, he said, died untimely death while being allegedly hounded for crimes in which he had been tried, jailed and later pardoned.

Even at that, the letter pointed out that unlike Sylva who allegedly squandered huge resources from various government sources but left a whopping debt profile of N432 billion when he left office in 2011 after five years in the saddle, Alameyeseigha left the sum of N23 billion for Dr. Goodluck Jonathan who succeeded him.

He stated that many of the folks in Bayelsa were concerned about the “obvious partiality” in cases of fraud under the troubled administrations of Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha and Chief Timipre Sylva, noting that the “double standard” had become a point of reference.

He insisted that Sylva was corrupt as indicated in the EFCC probe and wondered why he was being shielded by those he alleged were in the “hallowed chambers of the Aso Villa in Abuja”.

This, he said, was not in the best interest of the Buhari administration, noting that sooner than later it would boomerang on the perception index of the government’s anti-corruption crusade.

He further stated in the letter that “While Alamieyeseigha was tried and jailed for six charges of making false declaration of assets, and 23 charges of money laundering, Sylva was arrested and discovered by the EFCC to have allegedly amassed so much wealth and became a property merchant with over 47 houses seized but has not been prosecuted.

Sylva instead of being hounded by law for his alleged crime against Bayelsa, is being celebrated as the Governorship flag bearer of our party.

“Change, which is our slogan, has become a sign of worry to our faithful in Bayelsa and beyond. To add more to our worry, we read of the position presented by some people identified as the Voice of the South-South on alleged lopsided nature of the ongoing anti-corruption crusade.

“Your Excellency, it is a known fact that the hounded and deceased DSP Alamieyeseigha left a huge sum of N23billion for his successor, the then Deputy Governor, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.

“But the Sylva administration with huge monies in loans, bonds, Federal Allocations, Millennium Development Goals Fund and Ecological Funds were allegedly squandered with a debt profile of over N432billion left for the state to bear”.

Kpado also claimed that Sylva was slammed with 50 charges of using three companies – Marlin Maritime Limited, Eat Catering Services Limited, and Halloween Construction and Logistics Limited to move about N19.2bn from Bayelsa State coffers between 2009 and 2012, under false pretense of using the withdrawn monies to augment salaries of the state government workers.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), he stated, on Thursday, January 3, 2013 took possession of 48 properties of the former governor of Bayelsa State, Mr. Timipre Sylva.

The interim forfeiture order attached to Sylva’s properties, he also claimed, was granted by Justice A. R Mohammed on 28 December, 2012.

Kpado then raised the poser: “Why is Chief Timipre Sylva’s case different from others.? Are we trying to grant him immunity by bulldozing him into the Bayelsa Government House in spite of protest and complaints from the people of the state? The ongoing battle against corrupt elements in our polity must be total and equal.”

The APC chieftain, therefore, urged President Buhari to investigate the issues contained in the letter which, he noted, was imperative in order not to destroy the reputation of his administration.

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A statement by Premium Times managing editor, Muskilu Mojeed, said that The Source Magazine insinuated that the recent death of a former Governor of Bayelsa State, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, penultimate week, was triggered by a purported story published by PREMIUM TIMES that the British government made a request to the Nigerian government for the extradition of the former governor to the United Kingdom to face money laundering charges.

The magazine specifically stated: “An online portal, PREMIUM TIMES had recently rehashed its March 28, 2013 story and presented it to unsuspecting readers as fresh.

“A section of the traditional media also strangely keyed into the PREMIUM TIMES stale story and published it as fresh. Quoting the immediate past British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Andrew Pocock, PREMIUM TIMES had reported that the UK government was interested in extraditing Alamieyeseigha to stand trial and that a request had already been made to the federal government to that effect”.

Muskilu’s statement stressed that to say that the story carried by the magazine on this subject and its direct reference to PREMIUM TIMES is shocking is to say the least.

The statement emphasised that PREMIUM TIMES never published any such story in its recent publications and that the last time a story was published on a proposed extradition of the deceased governor was on March 28, 2013.

The story entitled: “Britain writes FG, requests ex-convict Alamieyeseigha’s extradition to London”, according to the statement, was a reportage of the request made on the subject by the British government.

It said that the circumstances surrounding the story and the personalities quoted in it are clearly different from the realities of today and nothing should have made The Source Magazine come to the conclusion that the story was a recent publication of the newspaper.

“Aside the hasty and incredible conclusion drawn by the magazine against PREMIUM TIMES, it is amazing that the magazine’s publisher, Comfort Obi, proceeded to write a commentary based on the falsehood concocted by her publication.

“No effort was made to reach the management of this newspaper to get its own side of the story before the magazine went to town with its tendentious and patently unprofessional publication.

The statement further stressed that PREMIUM TIMES is a medium built on impregnable tradition of objectivity, courage, professionalism and globally-acclaimed penchant for excellence and diligence.

“It leaves much to be desired that a national magazine like The Source would hit the newsstands with a story that is neither true nor researched in line with the ethos and ethics of journalism.

“We challenge The Source Magazine to quote any recent publication by PREMIUM TIMES where the extradition issue of the former governor was raised. We challenge the magazine to justify its malicious stance against PREMIUM TIMES with unassailable proof that we indeed rehashed any such story or that it reached out to any of our editors for comments.

“If the magazine fails to come forward with any of these, it should be ready for a legal action. We have already advised our lawyers to initiate the necessary processes for litigation against the magazine,” the statement stressed.

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It described as unfortunate the fact that Dickson had chosen the defaming of the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate, Chief Timipre Sylva, as sole campaign message.

In a statement on Sunday in Yenagoa by Doifie Buokoribo, the Sylva campaign said such a strategy would fail the Bayelsa PDP governorship candidate at the December 5 election just as it failed his principal, former President Goodluck Jonathan, at the last general election.

The Timipre Sylva Campaign Organisation stated that it was disturbed that a sitting government desiring re-election has taken to a campaign of calumny, deception, and lies and a sole election strategy.

“In lie after lie, which we have extensively exposed, they have tried to malign the character of Sylva. But it is clear that Dickson and his co-travellers will fail.

“They will fail in Bayelsa State, as we are all living witnesses to how such campaign of slander and mudslinging fell flat at the federal level, when it was applied by their principal, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, during the last presidential election. This fact is indubitable, and we ordinarily would not have bothered about Dickson and PDP’s mission of self-destruction in Bayelsa State.”

The Sylva campaign office warn that the December 5 election is not a contest for who would abuse most, but a contest to improve the lives of the people of Bayelsa.

“What comes out clearly in the current well-funded media campaign against Sylva is that it carries the official stamp of the Dickson administration. The visibly unimaginative and dull anti-Sylva publications have emanated from Government House, Yenagoa, as the email addresses, forwardings, and other imprimaturs of the Dickson government on them show.

“Obviously, the campaign of calumny against Sylva is a deliberate policy of the Dickson administration, his only election plan, because, as we have repeatedly pointed out, he is evidently incompetent and ignorant of any achievements to campaign with.

“In their latest rant, they claimed that Sylva was bankrupt. Well, while Dickson is celebrating that Sylva is bankrupt, we are celebrating Dickson’s imminent defeat.

“But what is this obsession with Sylva’s finances. We thought Dickson’s folks should be preoccupied with rolling out his achievements in government. The people want to see what has been ‘restored’ these four odd years”, Sylva himself wrote on his Facebook page Sunday.

It described as absurd, the celebration of Sylva’s imagined insolvency, stressing that simple Political Science 101 teaches that once a candidate emerges through a primary, the responsibility of funding his or her campaign rests squarely with the political party. “It is unfortunate that Dickson is personalising the coming election in Sylva.

It stated that while Dickson pretends that he is not interested or interfering in affairs of Sylva and his party, APC has become his nightmare, stressing however, that it is clear to the whole state that Sylva will win the December poll.

“Recently, Dickson and his party have taken to seeking political capital from every unfortunate event that befell Bayelsa State and the Ijaw nation. When the former PDP state chairman who defected to the APC, Sam Inokoba, died, they mobilised their instruments of falsehood to claim that he died in the house of the APC chieftain, Mr. Timi Alaibe.

“Now with the death of the Ijaw leader and our former governor, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, this same group, using the same channels, are wickedly exploiting the tragedy under the illusion that it could give them victory at the poll.

“But we recall that it was Dickson and his cohorts that orchestrated the impeachment and incarceration of Alamieyeseigha. The PDP state chairmain, Mr. Serena David-Dokubo, was chairman of the impeachment panel that executed Alamieyeseigha’s controversial removal from office.

“And Dickson personally led protests to ensure that Alamieyeseigha was impeached and tried. They are now pretending to love Alamieyeseigha and the Ijaw nation. For the avoidance of doubt, Alamieyeseigha was impeached on grounds of jumping bail, not corruption which the Dokubo panel did not even investigate.

“In the Ijaw culture and tradition, you do not exploit the death of somebody for secular benefits, as Dickson and his group are doing with the death of Alamieyeseigha.

“Our people have distinguished between illusion and reality, and they have left Dickson a long time ago to seek the reality of prosperous governance in APC and Sylva. This will be demonstrated on December 5, when the people of Bayelsa State will vote out Dickson,” it said.

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In a statement by Daniel Iworiso-Markson, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Sarike said Chief Alamieyeseigha was a strong pillar of support to the restoration government.

He said Alamieyeseigha’s demise is a very painful and monumental loss to the entire Ijaw nation, which he has always stood firm for in all its ramifications.

The Bayelsa State Government also commiserated with the deceased wife, Margret, his immediate family, the Alamieyeseighas, the entire people of the State, noting that, the Ijaw nation has lost a rare gem.

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The party leaders Including PDP acting National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus and former chairman, PDP Board of Trustees, Chief Tony Anenih, who spoke during the stakeholders meeting and dinner in Yenagoa, stressed that realities on ground has shown clearly that the present administration was doing well in the state.

Others who delivered goodwill messages at the event include Secretary, PDP Board of Trustees, Senator Walid Jibrin; Vice Chairman of the party, South South, Dr. Cairo Ojougboh and Wing Commander Peter Biakpara.

Senator Foster Ogola, Hon. Douye Diri, Air Vice Marshal Larry Koinyan (Retd) and King Amalate Turner, the Paramount Ruler of Opume in Ogbia Local Government Area of ​​the state also endorsed Dickson.

The meeting as also attended by PDP chieftains including Senator Stella Omu, Director-General, PDP Governors Forum, Osaro Onaiwu; House of Representatives member from Taraba, Hon. Rima Shawalu, his Plateau state counterpart, Hon. Maren Solomon and the Secretary of PDP South South Zone among others.

Addressing the party faithfuls, Jonathan said that contrary to media speculation, the PDP which has-been in control of the state since the inception in 1999, still takes what has what it takes to win the governorship in the forthcoming election convincingly.

He said though some members of the party defected to the opposition All Progressives Congress, the PDP family would not lose sleep over the development as it remains united and strong in its resolve to clinch victory in the December 5 polls.

Jonathan, who promised to be at the rally where Governor Dickson is expected to publicly declared his intention to seek re-election on Tuesday, however advised the defectors to retrace their steps back to the PDP.

“We are here because what is happening in Bayelsa State now is similar to what happened in the state in 2003 when my boss then, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha was to contest his second tenure. A number of people went to Abuja and threw up all kinds of stories.

“People may go to Abuja and say all kinds of things, but the PDP in Bayelsa is very strong. We are committed and we will win our election. Few people might have left but the party is still strong and united. Well, we will continue to talk to our brothers and sisters because politics is all about consensus building. It is not a one-man business,” Jonathan said.

Prince Uche Secondus urged members of the party not to entertain fears about whether the elections would be rigged, stressing that the National Working Committee and other organs of the party would put in all necessary to ensure a free and fair electoral process.

He assured aspirants who are jostling for the party’s ticket of the national PDP leadership’s resolve to conduct a credible and zero expenses primaries in the state and thereafter support the successful candidate to run an effective electioneering campaigns in all the nooks and crannies of the state.

Quoting the holy Bible, the PDP chairman urged Bayelsans not to repay the party that provided the platform for their son and brother as the first minority to emerge president in the political history of the country with evil by voting for any of the opposition party in the forthcoming governorship election.

“We-have what it takes to mount enough pressure on the Federal Government in such a way that INEC can not rig you out. Not even the Police can do that because the Police and army belong to the Federal Government and not the APC. So they can not be used to rig you out.

“The Director-General of the State Security Service, Lawal Daura, has shown that he is a member of APC and he is serving out the APC agenda. We’ve warned that we are running out of patience. The President should call Daura to order. Hence when we move on the streets, the international community will see the APC-led Federal Government anti-democratic tendencies.”

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