Bayelsa: Dickson Moves To Crush Alaibe, Igali In PDP Primary

Governor Serikae Dickson on Tuesday moved to squash muttering among his inner caucus over the shortlisting of three possible successors as he said the contest was still open to all members of his inner caucus dubbed as the Restoration Family.

He, however, insisted that his inner caucus known as Restoration Family would present only one aspirant for the primary, a move that was being interpreted as an effort to present a united front against heavyweight aspirants outside his political family.

Notable among them are Timi Alaibe and Goodnews Igali two of the strongest challengers for the PDP ticket who, however, do not belong to the governor’s Restoration Family.

The special adviser to the governor on political matters, Feynman Wilson had last Sunday issued a statement in which he said that three persons had been shortlisted for consideration by the Restoration Caucus. The three were Senator Douye Diri, the Senator representing Bayelsa Central District, the Secretary to the State Government Barr. Kemela Okara, and the Chief of Staff to the State Government, Rt. Hon Talford Ongolo.

The statement had immediately triggered strong emotions within and outside the caucus leading to the clarification on Tuesday by the governor that others within the Restoration would also be considered.

However, the governor was emphatic that only those within the caucus would be ratified and presented for the PDP ticket as he said the Restoration caucus would present only one aspirant for the primary.

A statement by the governor’s Special Adviser on Media Relations, Mr. Fidelis Soriewi on the latest development quoted the governor as calling on Bayelsans to make dispassionate assessment of the aspirants for the Restoration team to make the crucial decision on who to back in the primaries.

He said that all members of the Restoration Team with interest to contest the governorship would be supported for the purpose of continuity and stability in the governance of the state.

He added that all key members of the Restoration Team would sit to decide on which candidate to back in the forthcoming PDP primaries in the state.

He stressed the assessment by the state was crucial as it would form the basis upon which a final decision would be made.

He said, “The Restoration Team has taken a decision to back one of its own to contest the primaries of the People’s Democratic Party in the state.

“The Restoration Team is inclined to support a candidate from the Restoration Caucus of the PDP for the governorship ticket because of the imperative of continuity and stability in governance.

“It is on the basis of this that any member of the Restoration Team who has an ambition is called upon to pick the form. The caucus shall make all the necessary arrangements for consultations within the Restoration Caucus of the PDP before taking a final decision on who to support.”

He added further that adequate mechanism had been put in place for get feedbacks from the citizens in addition to wide consultations within the party and the entire state upon which a decision would be taken on who should be backed in the primaries.

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