From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
Re-election bid of Governor Douye Diri got a major boost as scores of youths across the eight local government areas of Bayelsa State, including youths from All Progressives Congress (APC), staged a solidarity walk drumming support for his candidature.
The youths armed with placards with various inscriptions, walked from Tombia to the Peace Park opposite Bayelsa State Government House, where they were received by Diri.
Speakers, including Robinson Obuebite, Tonye Isenah and Monday Obolo, who took turns to talk, commended Diri for enthroning peace in Bayelsa state.
According to them, the action of the youths is an affirmation that Bayelsans are happy with the governor.
Secretary of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Gesiye Isowo, who received defectors from the APC, said Diri’s performance and dedication to good governance has endeared him to members of the opposition who are joining the PDP.
APC youths leader that defected to PDP, Gifted Natus, said the leadership of APC attempted to stop their defection with juicy offers in the oil pipeline surveillance contract but they rebuffed them because they are known for fake promises.
He said the performance of the Diri administration has placed Bayelsa on the path of development.
Also, Deputy Governor, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, said Bayelsa is safe in the hands of the Diri administration.
Ewhrudjakpo said just as the PDP has defeated APC in the past; it would again defeat the party.
Diri commended Natus and others for joining the PDP, stressing that his administration’s covenant with Bayelsans is to develop the state.
“Now, we have a covenant with you. That covenant is to develop Bayelsa in terms of infrastructure, in terms of human capacity building. And that has to do with our youths and women. So, we have started this long ago since we assumed office and we would to continue to do that till our people are economically viable and our youths are not drug pedlars and gun runners, so anybody that is planning to bring you back to Egypt where you have left, say no to them.
“For those of us who are proper Ijaw people, we want to see road to Brass; we want to see road to Akassa; we want to see road to Agge; we want to see light in Agge; we want to see our youths attend skills acquisitions; we want to see our youths attend technical colleges. The dark days are over in Bayelsa. I am happy youths organise this,” he said.