Governor Dickson tasks PDP flagbearers to fund their campaigns in Bayelsa

The Governor of Bayelsa State, the Honourable Henry Seriake Dickson, has said that Bayelsa State under his leadership would not use public funds for electoral campaigns of whatever form.

A statement by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media Relations, Mr. Fidelis Soriwei, quoted the Governor as having made the comment while speaking with political appointees, leaders and candidates of the People’s Democratic Party in Yenagoa on Sunday.

Honourable Henry Seriake Dickson, Governor of Bayelsa State 

The Governor stressed that Bayelsa did not have any funds that could be committed to the funding of the campaigns of party candidates.

According to him, the limited resources available in the state would be committed to the develop of state and her people.

Dickson added that the funds available in the state were not even enough to carry out the desired development of the state and would not be wasted on politicking.

He said that those in pursuit of political offices should be able to spend their money on the campaigns to actualize their objectives.

Governor Dickson who described the forthcoming general election as critical charged members of the PDP to mobilize and sensitize Bayelsans to turn out en masse to vote the PDP for effective representation at all levels.

Dickson who stressed that Bayelsa could not afford to be represented by any opposition party urged the PDP members to move into the election with the traditional cohesion and unity for which the party is reputed in the state.

He said, “The Government òf Bayelsa has no money to fund elections. I wish to state without equivocation that the Restoration Government under my leadership is not in the business of funding elections.

“I don’t have enough money to work with in Bayelsa. Bayelsa money must be spent on the development òf Bayelsa, not for the funding of any election matter who, and how highly placed the person could be.

“Let it be that they know that Bayelsa truly is 100% PDP. No state supported our candidate more than us during the primaries. It is not money. You know that I don't use Bayelsa money to play politics for anybody. Bayelsa money is to be spent for Bayelsa.

“This because the money is not even enough for me to work with. But we made sure there was mobilization and support for all our delegates and leaders of our state, so let the final outcome reflect that.

“We cannot afford in this state to have the opposition party represent us. Spread that message and after the election, I will like to know who has delivered the votes."

The Governor said that the state government has transformed Bayelsa in all sectors in addition to the reforms in fiscal discipline, governance culture and respect for human rights irrespective of political affiliation in the last seven years of Restoration.