Patience Jonathan, who held the meeting in Otuoke community in Ogbia Local Government Area (LGA) in Bayelsa State, under the aegis of the PDP Integrity Forum, said the PDP has experienced political division from actions taken by Governor Dickson, but he is the best in terms of governance and development for the State.
The former First Lady, Patience Jonathan, yesterday met with former political appointees and some aggrieved politicians under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) seeking for new strategies to ensure the re-election of Seriake Dickson for a second term as governor.
Patience Jonathan, who held the meeting in Otuoke community in Ogbia Local Government Area (LGA) in Bayelsa State, under the aegis of the PDP Integrity Forum, said the PDP has experienced political division from actions taken by Governor Dickson, but he is the best in terms of governance and development for the State.
The meeting between the Patience Jonathan and leadership of the PDP Integrity Forum was initiated by the group and attended by the leader, former Commissioner for Local Government Deacon James Dugo, the Director of Publicity Blessing Kingdom, and the Director of Finance Timi Gbendu.
The Director of Women Mobilization, Mrs. Julie Okenarhe and the Director of Organization, Embiowe Tonworitimi were also in attendance.
Sources with knowledge of the meeting said Patience Jonathan urged the members of the group and politicians present at the meeting to support the re-election of Governor Dickson without any reservation. A source told SaharaReporters that "she urged those present at the meeting to forget the last acrimonies and work for the second term mandate of the State Governor Dickson. She told them that the issue at stake for the December 5th election is not about her and the Governor, but the fact that the PDP must retain the seat of governance of the State."
"She hinted that though she was angry with the Governor, the development of Bayelsa State under a trusted hand like Governor Dickson is more significant than personal anger. She also cautioned that the combing election should not be considered as a "carry go" case, but Party members should reach put to the people at the ward, local, and State levels," the source disclosed to SaharaReporters.
Mrs. Jonathan commended members of the PDP Integrity group for the decision to come together and promote peaceful coexistence within the PDP and assure them of the total support of the former first family.
Confirming the development, the Coordinator of the PDP integrity group, Fedison Agada, told leadership yesterday that the meeting was held on Wednesday evening at the country home of the former President Goodluck Jonathan," the Leader of the group, Deacon James Dugo led the team of members to the home of the former President and had a fruitful interactive session with the former First Lady."
"Among issues discussed were the concept of the group, which included the need to unite the leaders of the Party and put an end to cases of disaffection within the rank and file of the Party in the State. The group, which is made up of politicians and technocrats, within the fold of the Party, was set up to promote the integrity of the Party and the credibility of the aspirants of the Party ahead of the governorship polls in the State."