Ijaws’ll do referendum on 2019 elections - Dickson

macfranc007 June 21, 2018 Nigeria News today & Breaking news ▷ Read Naija news 24/7 David Oladele

- Governor Henry Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa state noted that he believed in restructuring and true federalism

- Dickson said it is only aspirants that believed in restructuring would get the support of the Ijaw nation in 2019 general elections

- He, however, called Nigerians to protect democracy and reject a one-party system

Governor Henry Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa state on Wednesday, June 20, said a referendum on restructuring and true federalism is the only condition for any politician seeking for Ijaw support in 2019 general elections.

Daily Trust reports that Dickson said only aspirants that believed in restructuring would get the support of the Ijaw nation who lived in many states of the south south and South West of the country.

The governor made this known when a former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, a PDP presidential aspirant visited him at the government house in Yenagoa.

He said: “People of the Ijaw nation from Ondo, Edo, Delta, Rivers to Akwa Ibom states have been fully mobilised and conscientised on the importance of the 2019 general elections and what it portends for restructuring.

“Only aspirants that believe in restructuring will get the support of the Ijaw nation.”

The governor said he was championing the clamour for restructuring, true federalism and devolution of powers from the centre to the federating units.

He restated the need to re-examine the foundations of the country which, according to him, were faulty adding that he would intensify consultations with the view to reaching a consensus for a restructured Nigeria.

He called on well-meaning Nigerians to protect democracy and reject a one-party system, which he said bred dictatorship.

Dickson also enjoined PDP members to work closely to make the party more cohesive and virile.

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He described Atiku as one of the most consistent political voices for the quest for a new Nigeria, assuring that Bayelsa would remain a PDP state and fly the party’s flag at all times.

According to him, “No nation is perfect, let’s not deceive ourselves that our country is perfect, every nation is a work in progress.

“Other countries older than Nigeria have adjusted; restructuring is a call for adjustments, for consultations and consensus building.”

In his remarks, Atiku said he had been an advocate of true federalism since 2004 and solicited the support of the government and people of Bayelsa state in next year’s presidential election.

Meanwhile, NAIJ.com had reported that the APC committee on restructuring submitted its report to the national chairman of the party, Chief John Oyegun, on Thursday, January 25, making several recommendations based on the opinions of Nigerians.

Governor of Kaduna and chairman of the committee, Nasir el-Rufai, speaking at the presentation of the report said when the recommendations are passed by the national assembly, “they will significantly rebalance our federation.”

Do you prefer a restructuring of Nigeria or should we just split-up? on NAIJ.com TV: