Governor, Rt. Hon. Seriake Dickson challenge the National Chairman of the All Progressive Congress,  Adam Oshiomhole that he lacks adequate knowledge on David Lyon, the party flag’s bearer for the governorship election .

The Governor made the statement 24 hours after he was criticised by Oshiomhole for using “unsophisticated language” against Lyon.

The governor also dismissed Oshiomhole’s vow that APC will take over Bayelsa state after the election.

He said these on Friday during a chat with journalists at the end of the 3rd annual conference of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers, held at the Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.

Dickson had accused the oil companies in the state of outsourcing terrorism to Lyon by awarding him pipeline security and surveillance contracts.

Dickson also added “My good friend Oshiomhole knows that the APC cannot win Bayelsa in a free and fair election.

“They can’t win any ward in Bayelsa.
“None.
“They have never won any election except intimidating people, manipulating electoral body.

“He knows that.
“He is my good friend.
“I disagree with his views.
“I believe he doesn’t know his candidate enough.
“But in the coming days and weeks, I believe he will get to know the person he has allowed to be the flag bearer.

“Since 2015, we have been dealing with extreme violence and abuse of power by the leadership of the party that has the centre.

“We expect that the elections would not be as violent as the previous ones.

“The people of Bayelsa can be trusted to vote for a candidate they believe has the experience, a candidate that they believe understands the issues, a candidate that will continue with the massive development that has come to stay in Bayelsa.”

The Governor, Appreciating GOCOP for inviting him to the event, Dickson said: “I am here to thank and appreciate you all for the good work you are doing in deepening our democracy.

“You cannot have democracy without a vibrant media.

“All of us who are running government, especially in this era of social media, it is not easy.

“Just from the anonymity of the laptop or even a cell phone, headlines are made and issues are raised, and God help you if you are in a state like Bayelsa where the social media is one of the busiest.

“Everybody is commenting, criticising.

“As inconvenient as this age of social media  clearly is, it is nevertheless primary  to the sustenance and developing and also to make more intense in our democracy.”

Good journalism costs a lot of money, only good journalism can ensure the possibility of a good society, accountability democracy and a transparent government.*
*For continued free access to the best investigative journalism, we ask you to consider making a modest support to this noble profession.