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By David Owei, Yenagoa
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) primary elections that produced Senator Douye Diri as gubernatorial candidate has confirmed that flag bearer and his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpor, are not only tested and qualified but have the necessary experience, exemplary records in public service, to consolidate on the legacies of the Restoration Government under Seriake Dickson.
Hon Stanley Braboke Enaibagha, commissioner of Trade, Industry and Business Development spoke to journalists on the sidelines of the party’s flag-off campaign at the Ox-Bow Lake in Yenagoa which was attended by supporters and party faithful from within and outside the state.
“You saw what happened, the mammoth crowd was not hired, but was made up party faithful and supporters of PDP, who believe and trust that Senator Douye Diri and Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpor have the capacity and experience to govern Bayelsa State when the current governor His Excellency Seriake Dickson exits from office.”
According to him, the threat posed by the poor weather condition on that day later turned to a blessing in disguise, as despite the inclement weather the party faithful and supporters were not deterred or discouraged and were resilient to display and demonstrate their loyalty and total support for the duo.
He likened the weather condition during the flag-off to the condition the Israelites passed through in the wilderness, adding that at last God in his infinite mercy was able to provide succor for their safe arrival to the Promised Land.
The PDP chieftain posited that the main opposition party lacks the structures to adequately mobilize and garner support to wrest power from the ruling party which is the dominant and ruling party in the state since the return of democracy in 1999, adding that a crushing defeat waits them at the November 16 elections.
He alleged that the All Progressive Congress (APC) was only banking on electoral fraud, through orchestrated collusion with Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) and use of violence and mayhem through the use of the security forces to harass and intimidate innocent voters.
“The plan of the APC which does not have solid structures is to use the federal might and security to forcefully write results, which President Muhammadu Buhari abhors, and the recent probe of the vice president confirms that president does not condone electoral violence,” he said.
He further stated that the PDP condemns any attempts by APC to use federal position and monies at their disposal to make promises and lure the people or PDP defectors, adding that these do not win elections, but that political parties win elections with structures and superior strategies and planning.
The Ekeremor -born chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party also claimed that though Ekeremor Local Government Area had been known to be a flash point of electoral violence, the area can no longer be said to be an APC stronghold since the political gladiators from the area have been “disgraced by the combination of Senator Douye Diri and Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpor who have been accepted by the nooks and crannies of Ekeremor Local Government Area.
“APC has been disgraced as a party without value and Ekeremor people have pledged their unalloyed and total support for Senator Douye Diri and Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpor as the PDP flag bearer and running mate respectively,” he said.