DICKS 2012 ELECTION CAMPAIGN SPEECHES is a compilation of selected extempore remarks, and the first of a trilogy, by Governor Henry Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State, Nigeria. ON In this book, the reader will encounter the robustness of Governor Dickson's DICKSON remarks delivered extempore with striking ability to inspire and engage its audience in a manner that is most compelling. Governor Dickson is an orator of a different hue. He speaks authoritatively with penetrating intellectual depth typical of most great leaders in the world, both past and present. 2012 ELECTION CAMPAIGN SPEECHES 2012 ELECTION CAMP The restoration agenda unveiled to lead is to serve GOVERNOR HENRY SERIAKE DICKSON A PROFILE Governor Henry Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State in Nigeria has, by his performance in office, underscored the critical role of leadership in strategic restructuring and effective governance. He has changed the face of development, sanitized the polity, and encouraged participatory governance. The emerging economic prosperity in Bayelsa is a product of vision and courage. Dickson, 48, is an exceptional leader whose foresight on the diversification of the state’s economy beyond oil and gas to focus more on tourism and AIGN SPEECHES agriculture holds great promise of economic boom. A lawyer, former Attorney-General of Bayelsa State and member of the National Executive Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association, he was elected to the House of Representatives in 2007 and re-elected in 2011, where he served as the Chairman, House Committee on Justice. His star was further on the rise when he was elected governor of Bayelsa State by popular acclamation later in 2012. He has been an agent of positive change, challenged the status quo and re-invented the architecture of Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson governance in a peaceful and resourceful environment. Governor of Bayelsa State DICKSON 2012 ELECTION CAMPAIGN SPEECHES THE RESTORATION AGENDA UNVEILED TO LEAD IS TO SERVE Compiled and Revised by: Daniel Iworiso­Markson Chief Press Secretary to the Bayelsa State Governor Edited by: Sully Abu Dr. Jeanee Gibson ISBN: 978­978­938­000­8 © 2014 Henry Seriake Dickson No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or introduced into a retrieval system or transmied in any form or by any means without prior wrien permission from the publisher CONTENTS WHY VICTORY IS CERTAIN­ Remarks during Hon. Seriake Dicksonʹs submission of his governorship nomination form at the PDP secretariat 5 FROM THE RUINS OF THE OLD, A NEW BAYELSA BECKONS­ Acceptance speech following victory at the Peoplesʹ Democratic Party gubernatorial primaries 6 HOISTING THE FLAG­ Remarks by Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson on the occasion of the formal presentation to him of the PDP governorship flag 8 A RUNNING MATE, A GOOD HELMSMAN­ Brief remarks by Hon. Seriake Dickson at the formal presentation of his running mate for the 2012 governorship race in Bayelsa State, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (Rtd) 10 A CALL TO DUTY­ Remarks to members of the ʹKeme to Kemeʹ campaign group 12 THE RESTORATION AGENDA UNVEILED 02 VOTE FOR CHANGE­ Address at a campaign rally at Ogbia town, headquarters of Ogbia local government area 13 THE MAKING OF A NEW BAYELSA­ Remarks at a meeting with chiefs and leaders of Ogbia in Ogbia town, as part of the PDP gubernatorial campaign tour 15 CHANGE HAS COME TO BAYELSA­ Speech at the PDP gubernatorial campaign rally in Nembe 18 Remarks during the campaign visit to the Bassambiri, Nembe 22 WE ARE AT YOUR SERVICE­ Remarks at a campaign rally at the King Koko Square in Ogbolomabiri, Nembe 25 Speech during a courtesy visit on His Royal Majesty, King Alfred Diete­Spiff, Amayanabo of Twon­Brass, during a campaign visit to Twon­Brass 27 WE WILL NOT LET OUR PEOPLE DOWN­ Remarks at the PDP gubernatorial campaign rally in Twon­Brass 46 WE WILL TAKE BAYELSA TO NEW HEIGHTS­ Remarks at the campaign rally in Okpoama community in Brass local government area 48 WE MUST RECLAIM OUR STATE­ Speech at a campaign rally at Akassa in Brass LGA 49 WE MUST WORK TOGETHER­ Remarks at the campaign rally in Nembe (Bassambiri) 51 THE RESTORATION AGENDA UNVEILED 03 WE WILL END THE VIOLENCE­ Remarks during a courtesy call on HRM King Malla Sasime JP, Obeni­ Ibe of Epie Kingdom before a campaign rally 52 YENAGOA WILL HAVE A HUGE MAKEOVER­ Remarks at a governorship campaign rally in Yenagoa 54 PDP, PARTY OF THE PEOPLE­ Remarks during a courtesy call on King WSJ Igbugburu, Ebenanaowei of Bomo clan in southern Ijaw LGA 56 TO BAYELSA WE BRING GOOD TIDINGS­ Speech at the PDP campaign rally in Oporoma, headquarters of southern Ijaw local government area 57 YOUR VOTE IS YOUR POWER TO SOLVE YOUR PROBLEMS­ Remarks during visit to chiefs and elders of Ekeremor local government area 59 OUR STRUGGLE IS TO REDEEM BAYELSA­ Remarks at Ekeremor campaign ground 61 LET THE BALLOT BOX FIGHT FOR US­ Remarks at the palace of the Alei of Aleibiri in Ekeremor local government area 63 PDP HAS GIVEN THE IJAW A PLACE TO STAND­ Remarks at palace of the Ebedaowei of Kolokuma clan Kolokuma/Opokuma local government area 64 REMAKING BAYELSA: THE TIME FOR CHANGE IS NOW ­ A COUNTRYMAN REPORTS FOR DUTY Being the text of an address delivered by Hon Seriake Dickson on September 24, 2011 66 THE RESTORATION AGENDA UNVEILED 04 WHY VICTORY IS CERTAIN Remarks during the submission of his governorship nomination form at the PDP secretariat in 2011 am running with the support of our people. I am running on the Istrength of the ideas I have come to expound. Bayelsa State needs change and that is why you have all accompanied me in solidarity and in prayers both those who are here and those who are at home supporting us. I am here to confirm my candidacy; I am here to submit my nomination form and other particulars as demanded by my party and I have done that as you can all see. As I said earlier, I am running this race to win and I am the leading candidate and we hope to work hard and win the primaries. The primaries would be decided by the delegates of the PDP and I am confident that with the work I am doing, I am going to emerge victorious. I, therefore, thank you for your continued support and I believe strongly, that together, we shall bring positive change to Bayelsa State. THE RESTORATION AGENDA UNVEILED 05 FROM THE RUINS OF THE OLD, A NEW BAYELSA BECKONS Acceptance speech following victory at the Peoplesʹ Democratic Party gubernatorial primaries at the Samson Siasia stadium, Yenagoa. November 19 2011 It is with a great sense of joy, humility and responsibility that I, Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson, accept your nomination as the flag bearer for the forthcoming gubernatorial elections in Bayelsa State under the platform of the PDP. In the last couple of days and, especially in the last couple of hours, I have been a witness to the sacrifices, all the inconveniences and all that you have gone through. Today, we have laid the foundation for the building of a new Bayelsa and I assure you, that with what you have done and what you have demonstrated, you have laid the foundation on which, I will with your cooperation, build a new and prosperous Bayelsa for all of us. From the ruins of today we will build a new Bayelsa that will be a shining star among states in the country. As you know, this state is a PDP state. This state as we speak by the benevolence of God, by the mighty grace of God and with the support THE RESTORATION AGENDA UNVEILED 06 of others like you, has the highest stake in PDP and for this we are most grateful. But you know that also comes with a responsibility. This state will always be PDP. Let me assure our teeming supporters, that the work of enthroning a new Bayelsa, the work of building the foundation for a greater tomorrow begins today with what you have done. And, from the ruins of the present, we will build a new Bayelsa that will be a shining star among states in the country. I will not be able to do that alone. I need the support and cooperation of all of you. As you have supported me massively in the course of my campaign, as you all showed me solidarity and endorsed the journey of restoration, as you have demonstrated the need for change with the way you voted, I know you will stand by me in the great times ahead. From the ruins of today we will build a new Bayelsa that will be a shining star among states in the country. Let me specifically thank and congratulate my very worthy aspirants in this race and to the Hon. Chief Francis Doukpola. This is the first time I am actually calling his name. I normally call him my chief and leader. To all you great party leaders and loyalists, I say thank you and may God bless you. THE RESTORATION AGENDA UNVEILED 07 HOISTING THE FLAG Remarks by Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson on the occasion of the formal presentation of the PDP governorship flag I will like to use this opportunity to express my profound gratitude to the leaders of our state and our great party for the trust and confidence reposed in me. In the new PDP Government by the grace of God, when elected, having closely followed events and with the cooperation and support of our leader and boss, the President and consulting at all times with all our leaders, youths and women, we intend to restore Bayelsa to its lost glory.