Bayelsa State Govenor, Seriake Dickson who is also Peoples Democratic Party Gubernatorial Candidate has said that he is confident he will come out victorious in the coming polls because communities in the state have endorsed him.
In an interview with Vanguard, he explained that unlike the All Progressives Candidate, Chief Timpre Sylva who has been travelling around in Helicopters, he has been using Canoes to visit all the rural communities in the state.
He said “We have changed the face of politics in this state by putting the people at the centre of development. Our attitude to accountability is second to none. For example, every month we announce what we receive in terms of revenue and how we spend it to empower the people.
“I believe this will be a standard moving forward as far as governorship and other elections in this state are concerned. I heard that my good friend (APC governorship candidate Timpre Sylva) has intensified his campaign.
“That is how it should be, not threatening our people with ‘federal might’,hoping that INEC will write results for him, that SSS operatives are his errand boys and the JTF will handcuff people for him. He is flying around in helicopter but I am going around as a simple governor in boats and trekking with the people because, to me, the people must be liberated from these greedy persons that do not care about the development of the state. I am taking our message of peace, security and development to the communities and telling the people their future is in their hands, not in Abuja or Lagos.
“I am very happy about the warm reception and the endorsements I have received. I am just coming from Agudama Ekpetiema and the women came out to tie wrapper on me, the men gave me presents. So many of these people( our opponents) are disconnected from voters. I am busy with the persons who will vote and, as we move towards the election, Bayelsans will know that the ‘federal might’ and security they are using to intimidate people will not work.”
On the speculation that PDP has lost strongholds in the state, he said “Talking about PDP losing traditional strongholds, there is nothing like that. The way the last general elections went, our party made mistakes in some areas, and, in politics, when you have been in power for this long, you make mistakes; and there are consequences.
“Bayelsa is different. We have a performing governor and, given free and fair election between myself and Sylva, forget the parties. That is why I am not surprised that communities are endorsing me. I have achieved what if a governor does in eight years, you will clap for him. Our people know it,people outside know it. And I am out to do more in second term; so I will get the second term by the grace of God.”