BAYELSA ASSEMBLY ELECTION: Gov. Diri Targets All 24 State Assembly Seats For PDP

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has charged all appointees and stakeholders of the PDP to work hard for the total victory of the party in this weekend’s State House of Assembly election.

The Governor who gave the charge when he met with them said everyone should return to their constituencies and work hard for the victory of all PDP candidates.

“We all did it in the National Assembly elections where we recorded 100 per cent success. This Saturday, we go again and we will all ensure the victory of all our 24 State Assembly Candidates.

“I urge you all to shun any form of betrayal, acrimony, and vengefulness.

Let’s all sheath our swords, forgive one another and ensure the party’s victory in all constituencies during this week’s state elections.

“I thank you all for all your genuine efforts in the last Presidential and National Assembly elections, which brought us unprecedented victory, I charge you to do the same this weekend.Thank you and God bless you all”, the governor said.

Commenting on the protest staged by some persons arising from the currency scarcity at Akenfa in Yenagoa, Diri said they do not understand that currency and monetary policy were strictly on the Exclusive List and that the states had no power to enforce policies related to them.

He said the meeting was convened to interact with major stakeholders in the  various business sectors with a view to seeking ways to ease the challenges brought about by the Naira swap policy.

The governor also noted that his administration was aware that some traders were involved in activities that had created a system that diminished the purchasing power of the old notes.

He said the unwholesome practice was totally unacceptable to the state government and called on the leadership of the various unions and associations to prevail on errant members to desist forthwith.

“By the Supreme Court ruling, both the old and new notes have equal value and should be treated as such. We will not condone any illegal or discriminatory practice that will lead to a breakdown of law and order in the state.”

Diri promised that he would meet with managers of commercial banks in the state as well as relevant officials at the federal level and offer advice on ways to mitigate the sufferings of the people.

The leadership of the various unions and associations of petroleum marketers, transporters and traders at the meeting included the state chairmen of the  Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria, Mr Peter Erefamote, State Tricycle Owners Association, Mr Sani Moniru, and that of the National Road Transport Workers Union of Nigeria, Chief Erebo Oyinkuro.

Others were the former secretary, Swali market traders association, Mrs Fortune Samuel, and Mrs Christian Gwuembe of the Periwinkle Traders Association.