Ahead of the 3rd September Bayelsa PDP Governorship Primaries/Congresses, Governor Seriake Dickson has said he would not support any candidate outside the Restoration Group of the party.
The Governor also disclosed that the leadership of the Restoration Caucus would decide on an aspirant to support in the primaries before the exercise.
A statement by the Special Adviser, Media Relations, Mr. Fdelis Soriwei, quoted the Governor as having made the remarks on Monday while inaugurating the Restoration Governorship Primary Election Committee at the Government House, Yenagoa, the state capital.
The Governor said supporting any aspirant outside the Restoration Group was one heavy moral burden that he was not prepared to carry.
He stressed that his upbringing and values which place emphasis on the reward for the sacrifice of loyalty and steadfastness would not allow him to turn his back on those who stood by him throughout his years as leader of the party.
Dickson also hinged his decision to support a member of the Restoration Group on the imperatives of continuity, effective service delivery, and commitment of the group to the socio-economic growth of the state.
He dismissed those accusing him of refusal to support some aspirants, adding that it was his right to decide who to back in the forthcoming governorship primaries.
Dickson also said there was no law in the PDP that prevents elected local government officials from becoming delegates in the primaries.
He said: “There are people who fought to stop our chairmen and councilors from participating in the last election and they failed. The propaganda out there is that our elected chairmen and councilors are not going to participate as delegates in the election.
“Let me make it clear that no one by the rule of this party will prevent elected council officials from voting as delegates. No one will stop them from entering the venue to vote for a candidate of their choice.
“We have agreed to elect a candidate for our party from the Restoration team. I will fail in my responsibilities and values if I abandon those who have supported me, who have been through thick and thin with me.
“The way I was brought up, it is support for support and loyalty for loyalty. You have to be on board on this for the Restoration Team.
“My support will go to a loyal, committed member of the Restoration team. Not to do so will leave a very heavy moral burden in my heart which I am not prepared to bear.”
