Christopher Uche, Yenagoa
The leadership of the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) in Bayelsa State yesterday dissociate itself from the endorsement of the State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson by thirteen political Parties under the aegis of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) and the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP),saying they were not properly consulted.
The Political Parties, the African Democratic Congress (ADC), KOWA, Accord Party, Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), United Nigeria People’s Party(UNPP), Social Democratic Mega Party (SDMP),the Independent Democrat (ID) and Six others had last week announced that the endorsement of Governor Seriake Dickson was based on verifiable performance in the area of security,infrastructural development and empowerment.
The Treasurer of IPAC and state chairman of New Nigerian Peoples Democratic Party (NNPDP), Inko Namatebe, had declared on behalf of others that the Political parties adopted Dickson because of his sterling leadership qualities and that with Dickson securing second tenure the state would remain in safe hands.
But the State Chairman of the PPA,Comrade Alex Peretu,said though the PPA is a member of the IPAC and the CNPP, the Party was never part of any meeting of Political Parties in which it was decided that the Second term aspiration of the State Governor,Hon.Seriake Dickson be endorsed.
In the Statement issued in Yenagoa,Comrade Alex Peretu,said “the State chapter has been drawn to a publication in some national newspapers purportedly stating that the party was among the thirteen political parties that endorsed Gov. Henry Seriake Dickson for a second term bid. The party would like to dissociate itself from the purported endorsement of the governor as we were not consulted before the decision was taken by the leaders of IPAC.”
“Even though we do have an excellent working relationship with the governor and the leadership of the People’s Democratic Party in the state that does not amount to an endorsement.We therefore use this medium to admonish our loyal party members to disregard and ignore the publication because it does not express the intention of the party in any form or shape.”
“Also, we would like to request all interested and qualified party members who desire to contest the forthcoming governorship election in Bayelsa State to come forward and purchase the necessary forms at the party secretariat in Yenagoa. We promise to give all our aspirants a level playing field to contest the party primaries.”
