Shekarau storms Dickson’s campaign train in Bayelsa, predicts victory for PDP

The re-election bid of Governor Seriake Dickson received a huge boost as former Kano State Governor and former Minister for Education in the past President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, joined his campaign train to Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area, Monday.

Shekarau who also used the platform to predict victory for Dickson and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the December 5 election in the state, joined the governor in continuation of his community-to-community tour, saying that he felt convinced the PDP would win the election based on what he believed were the unusual crowd that came out to receive the governor and their endorsements.

A large crowd of party supporters thronged the various venues where rallies were held with community leaders on hand to receive Dickson and his entourage.

He said he was proud to see such a crowd comprising youths, men and women, who left other activities to meet Dickson and that their support was a measure of the governor’s popularity and acceptance, adding that the PDP remained the party of the people in Bayelsa State.

The former education minister had accompanied Dickson on a boat cruise through the River Nun to communities in Kolokuma/Opokuma, comprising Egebdi, Okoloba, Sabagriea, Odi, Isampou, Opokuma and Kaiama, which witnessed large turnout out of supporters.

“It is evident that the Countryman Governor is well loved by his people and going by what I have seen here today, he will win the December 5 election. I believe it will just be a formality,” Shekarau said.

He told the people to remain loyal and steadfast, saying no amount of intimidation could change the will of the people, stressing that their actions at the respective rallies were a celebration of leadership and performance.

“I must thank you all for believing in your governor and standing firm behind him in his re-election bid. I want to admonish you to remain steadfast. The PDP will no doubt carry the day on December 5. I am really impressed. This is not just a campaign, it is a carnival. It is a celebration of victory and I am so happy to experience this open show of love first hand. Of course, your governor has led well and with performance,” he said.

Speaking to the mammoth crowd of PDP supporters at Kaiama, hometown of the late Ijaw hero and activist, Isaac Adaka Boro, where a grand reception was held in his honour, Dickson expressed appreciation to the people for their show of love and endorsement for his candidacy.

He noted that Kolokuma Opokuma was home to him and, therefore, he needed not to campaign as the people would vote en-masse for him at the election.

Earlier, the community leaders who spoke had listed some of the achievements of the governor in the local government to include the construction of Adaka Boro Memorial Institute comprising of a Mausoleum and a low cost housing estate to immortalize the late freedom fighter, construction of the Boro town, Kiama link road and construction of Isaac Boro family house.

Other notable projects listed are the construction of a general hospital in Kaiama, model boarding secondary schools in Kaiama and  Sabagreia, model primary schools In several communities and the establishment of the Bayelsa Sports Academy in  Asoama.