Dicksonkicks offcampaign in YenagoaTHE Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Bayelsa State chapter, has denied petitioning the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over illegal deductions of funds meant for local councils by the administration of Governor Timipre Sylva.A national daily (not The Guardian) had reported that the EFCC had received a series of petitions bordering on tampering with local council funds by Sylva government.But while briefing journalists about the prayer session, Fast and Pray for Peace, which he said ALGON was organising because of the political situation in the state, the Chairman of ALGON, Chief Tiwei Timipa Orunimigbe said there was no iota of truth in the allegation.A frontline contender in the race to clinch the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship ticketin Bayelsa State, Seriake Dickson, yesterday formally kicked off his campaign in Yenagoa, the capital of the state.Members of the Green Movement, a political group allegedly linked to President Goodluck Jonathan in the state, including former Commissioners of Sylva, Diekivie Ikiogha,Waripamowei Dudafa and former PDP state chairman, Rufus Abadi, were present at the declaration rally.While addressinghis supporters that were gathered at his campaign office located along the Mbiama/Sani Abacha Way, Dickson flayed thepoor security situation in the stateand lamented thatmany youths were being killed every now and then.The governorship aspirant who is also a serving member of the House of Representatives alleged that the defunct state security outfit, Famou Tangbei, had been involved in many extra-judicial killings that raised fears among residents.He saidthe existing administration in the state had failed the people asa result of non-performance.The governorship aspirant assured that his administration would address the security problem if voted into power. The rally was held at Seriake's campaign office located at Sani Abacha Road, Okaka, Yenagoa.According to Orunimigbe, the Bayelsa State chapter of ALGON'is ready to face the EFCC and tell them that the petition they have is frivolous.' He added that they were putting heads together with their legal advisers to invoke the Freedom of Information (FoI) Act to compel the EFCC to furnish them with the petition and the name of the petitioner.Orunimigbe reiterated that ALGON had made its position known to the national leadership that it was supporting Governor Sylva, stressing that there was no going back on their support for his second term.ALGON denied Sylva's campaign posterslinking him (Sylva) with All ProgressiveGrand Alliance (APGA). The groupsaid Sylva had not decamped to APGA, as being speculated in some quartersand expressed optimism that the governor would finally be cleared by the PDP to contest the election.He expressed optimism that the leadership of the PDP would do what was right and allow Sylva to participate in the governorship primaries slated for November 19, 2011.At the prayer session held at the Peace Park, thousands of supporters of Sylva turned up.Sylva, who looked unruffled, said the prayer session was timely because the state needed it. According to him, when he came in as governor, there was insecurity in the state and his administration worked tirelessly to bring back peace.He said he had signs that the prayers offered had already been answered, adding that they should remain undaunted because everything was okay.
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