IJAW NATIONAL CONGRESS ELECTION: GOV DICKSON ADMONISH CONTESTANTS TO SEE EXERCISE AS A CALL TO SERVICE

IJAW NATIONAL CONGRESS ELECTION: GOV DICKSON ADMONISH CONTESTANTS TO SEE EXERCISE AS A CALL TO SERVICE 

Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson has admonished aspirants vying for various offices in the Ijaw National Congress (INC), to see the exercise as a call to service rather than a political activity. Governor Dickson particularly warned former officers of the INC not to engage in acts that could threaten the peace and stability of the unity and survival of the Ijaw Nation in their bid to support candidates of their choice in the forthcoming elections of the congress. 

The Governor handed down the warning during a meeting with an expanded Executive Council of the INC, which took place at the Ijaw House in Yenagoa. He said, “While people retain their rights to support candidates of their choice, nobody should do anything that could threaten our unity and survival. A few days ago, I had cause to authorize an announcement cautioning aspirants to realize that contesting for an office in the INC is a call to duty; it is an opportunity to offer service.

It is not the same attitude you display when you are contesting for a normal political office.  Ours is an organization that stands for service.”      

 According to the Bayelsa State Chief Executive, the INC is nobody’s political play field and if people want to test their political strength, they should join political parties and display whatever strategies they have. 

Governor Dickson, who noted that his duty was to provide support and encouragement to ensure that after the process of the election, the Ijaw Nation becomes more united and respected, thanked the Acting President of the INC, Chief Joshua Benamaisia and other members of the Election Planning Committee, ELECO for their contributions and sacrifices in the service of the people. 

The Governor remarked that though it is an election, the activity should be regarded as a family affair and reminded them that the INC is not a profit-making organization but a platform for promoting the ethnic interests of the Ijaw people.

 Earlier in his remarks, the Acting President of the INC, Chief Joshua Benamaisia said the meeting was convened at the instance of Governor Dickson to deliberate on issues to move the Ijaw Nation forward.  

Daniel Iworiso-Markson
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Bayelsa State