New Nigerian Newspapers Online Edition

Vice-President Goodluck Jonathan said the PDP would have no problem in winning election in Bayelsa State because “it is a united party.” Speaking at the flag-off of the PDP governorship campaign today in Yenagoa, Jonathan assured former Governor Timipre Sylva and his Deputy Peremobowei Ebebi of their joint ticket.

Jonathan said the duo remained the flag bearers of the party in the May 24 fresh election by the grace of God.

He said the annulment of the election at the Appeal Court on April 15 “is a blessing to the PDP, a blessing to Nigeria as a country’’.

“I know that no other party will win election in Bayelsa State because the thinking before now was that we in (PDP) are quarrelling,” Jonathan said.

The vice-president advised the Action Congress (AC) candidate Prince Ebitimi Amgbare as a brother to come over to the PDP and stop wasting his money in running for the election.

Jonathan also appealed to members of the PDP in the state to endure and queue to vote on the election day to avoid a repeat of the Appeal Court verdict.

Also speaking, former Gov. Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, said he was not campaigning for any particular candidate because “the crowd here has determined the result of the election.”

“I appeal to the conscience of Bayelsa people that the coming election is contest among brothers and therefore, should conduct themselves with decorum before, during and after the elections,” he said.

Alamieyeseigha, who is a blood brother of the Action Congress (AC) governorship candidate, further advised that “we have to be alive to enjoy the dividends of democracy’’.

He also admonished party members against carrying of arms such as AK-47, Grenade Propelled Launchers, dynamites and other weapons during the elections because they were not voters cards.

The ex-governor, who said “there was enough of blood shed in Bayelsa and the Niger Delta region,” charged Bayelsans to behave well and be peaceful during the forthcoming elections.

Also speaking, Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers said Timipre Sylva “is the best thing that is happening to Bayelsa State. “We shall make ensure that we return Timipre Sylva in the forthcoming election,” he said.