Emma Addeh
Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, wednesday cautioned those who lost in the primary elections of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against destroying the party, vowing to ensure the expulsion of such persons.
Dickson reminded the dissident members of the PDP during a meeting with the State Executive Committee and other leaders at the party’s Secretariat in Yenagoa, that he would not hesitate to wield the big stick like he did in the run-up to the governorship election in December 2015.
Dickson emphasised that any member whose intention was to sow seeds of discord and create instability within the party, no matter how highly placed, would be shown the way out.
“From now onwards, the keyword is loyalty, discipline and order in the party. In case people have forgotten, let me refresh their memories.
“Even when this party had a President, in this state under my leadership, this party expelled all those who were doing anti-party activities and we didn’t care a hoot.
“And if we could do it that time, we will do it 10 times more now. And just as we did the other time, we will set up a disciplinary committee to deal with such issues,” he said.
He added: “This party will not condone any indiscipline; any politics that you think that it is not yet your turn or it is not your preferred candidate that has become the flag bearer of the party and that you will get involved in anti party activities and still remain a member of our party, that will not happen under my watch.
“Now the primaries have come and they have gone. No matter how highly placed, anyone in government or out of government.
“Once this party has evidence showing that you are using your privileged position, because your preferred candidate did not win, you now go and play hide and seek, you now pick and choose which candidate to work for, we will send you out of this party in no time at all.
“Anyone coming to this party with the intention to sow seeds of discord, create factions, promote instability, under my leadership, we will tell you to go to the party you are coming from, so that you can stay there and do proper opposition.”
The governor promised to, in the coming days, meet with party loyalists with specific grouses and ensure that the party remains strong and virile in the state.
“I also want to commend the party and my political desk and elders and caucus chairmen who have been working tirelessly to broker peace and understanding because in this game, we talk about persuasion, give and take.
“Very soon, I will meet with all aspirants and other stakeholders of the party. I want to receive them and assure them that the party will be there for them.”
Also, the party immediately set up a seven-man PDP Disciplinary Committee in line with the provisions enshrined in the party’s constitution to check acts of indiscipline among members.
In his remarks, the State PDP Chairman, Mr. Moses Cleopas, described the recent party primaries as the freest and most transparent exercise, urging members to close ranks.
He assured that members of the party from the wards to the state level were all united, reminding them that there was a lot of work to be done towards ensuring total support for all PDP aspirants to win next year’s general elections.
