Members of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP,, from South-South geopolitical zone of Nigeria, have rejected the alleged uncomplimentary comments made by the governor of Bayelsa State, Seriake Dickson against former President Goodluck Jonathan.
Acting under the auspices of PDP South-South League, the concerned PDP members, however, appealed to Jonathan not join issues with his State Governor so as to avoid further division in the party.
This was contained in a statement jointly signed by the chairman and secretary, PDP South-South League, Ariolu Tebidapa, from Delta State and Akpan Ibibio, from Akwa Ibom State, respectively, and made available to journalists on Sunday, May 21, 2017 in Abuja.
They noted that the comments credited to Dickson that Jonathan’s six years as a President of Nigeria was a waste to the Niger Delta region, was a betrayal of trust.
The statement reads in part: “We were swept off our feet with shock in the wake of a recent comment credited to no other person than your own state governor, Seriake Dickson, saying that ‘your six years at the Presidency was a waste to the Niger Delta region.’
“This we consider as a betrayal of trust and an insult on your person considering that this is a misrepresentation of facts and an attempt to ridicule you considering your achievements nationwide and as one who was President of Nigeria and not a regional President.
“We wish to use this medium to apologise to you on behalf of the Governor of Bayelsa State and to also plead with you as a leader and father not to join issues with him but rather forgive him in case he comes like the ‘prodigal son’ because we have always known you for your large-hearted nature.
“As we all know, this period has never been the best of time for our party , so we should be mindful of black legs who may want to create further disaffection within the party in order to achieve their selfish agenda of selling our party to the ruling party at the centre.
“You are a great son of our region and we can’t sit and watch anybody insult you, no matter how highly placed the person or people could be because you are our hero.”
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the PDP Sout-South League, Barr. Ariolu Tebidapa, has commended the Rivers State Governor, Barrister Nyesom Wike, for the developmental strides in the State since assumption of office about two years ago.
Tebidapa, said that members of PDP from the region have declared their total support to the Governor, adding that they were thankful to Wike for declaring that he would not abandon Jonathan “no matter the circumstances.”
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