Former
Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Bayelsa State, Barrister
Anthony George-Ikoli on Saturday declared before a crowd of supporters in
Bayelsa East Senatorial District that he is the party’s best candidate for the
November governorship election.
“Zoning is
not the official policy of either the party or Bayelsans as at now. Factually,
all zones have produced the chief executive of Bayelsa State. No zone has been
denied or shortchanged. What Bayelsans want now is the best of the lot. I don’t
think the people will deny themselves the services of the best governor simply
because it doesn’t come from one favoured zone.”
In his
speech, he laid out the reasons he believes the All Progressives Congress (APC)
must be defeated in the senatorial district and why he is the right person for
the governorship job.
“APC can
never take Bayelsa State. I am not complacent to the point of saying that it
would be a work over for the PDP. The All Progressives Congress (APC) will try
to wrest power. Bayelsa is the heart of the Niger Delta Region. It is an oil
rich state. It is a plus for any party that controls Bayelsa State. APC has no
foothold in the Niger Delta Region. The party can dream it but can never
realize it. We will never give APC a chance. We will take over Kogi and
retain Bayelsa’’ he said.
Ikoli who
spoke in Nembe about the opposition party, zoning and the future of Bayelsa
State boasted that no other contender in the forthcoming election could rival
his pedigree.
‘’I have
always been known for excellence, best practices. I think my entry into the
race has changed all the equations. There is a ground swell of support for my
candidacy by the people. There is across the land jubilation that at last the
Moses has come. The best thing the party can do is to give me the ticket’’ he
said.
The former
attorney general and commissioner for justice said he was committed to delivering
good governance and a transparent administration.
“Who
will you trust when the battle against RUGA comes? Who will you trust when
the battle for restructuring comes? Let’s not kid ourselves with the
agitations of IPOB, the Fulani herdsmen issue, the killings every day in
Nigeria. If we allow APC take our state, we might as well kiss our way of
life goodbye! Who amongst the field would you trust with the know how to build
the regional strategy to win that battle? No one in the field has what it
takes to fight for the state, like I can.”
Appears
perfectly sure of the incumbent governor, the governorship hopeful described
his relationship with Governor Seriake Dickson as cordial.
“It is
very cordial. He is my governor. I give him his respect. He was Attorney
General and Commissioner for Justice. He was also in the House of
Representatives. When I was Attorney General, we interacted effectively. We are
both lawyers. We are defenders of the Ijaw cause. He ran a Ministry of Justice
that I took to very prominent position. He wishes me well” he said.
George-Ikoli
restated that former president Goodluck Jonathan said some very good things
about him.
“This is
the period of consultation. I have seen the former president, Dr. Goodluck
Jonathan. He has very wonderful things to say about me and my candidacy. I have
also seen Governor Seriake Dickson. All they can do for now is wish me well and
encourage me, which they have been doing” he said.
The
governorship hopeful also highlighted the achievements of Dickson in the sector
of education, healthcare and infrastructure development among others.
By Fidel
Njamanze
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