Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson has hailed the emergence of four female candidates from the last House of Assembly primary election of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state.
The women who emerged victorious at the primaries are Mrs. Ebiuwou Koku Obiyai (Yenagoa Constituency 2), Mrs. Naomi Ogoli (Ogbia constituency 3), Kate Owoko (Southern Ijaw constituency 1) and Ingo Iwowari (Nembe constituency 2).
Dickson in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson, described the results as the beginning of a new dawn for politics in the state and the country.
He expressed satisfaction with the gender sensitive posture of the leadership of the party in the state.
The governor called on political leaders across the country to emulate the example of the state.
Dickson said the victory of the four women from the primaries was a clear manifestation of the state’s compliance with the 35 per cent affirmative action of President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.
He reminded the victorious women that it was not total victory yet until after the general elections.
He asked them to campaign vigorously for next year’s general election which he said has stiffer opposition.
He also called on the entire women of the state at home and in the diaspora to see the victory of the four female PDP candidates as their project.
Dickson described the four women as pacesetters and urged them to be worthy ambassadors of the womanhood.
He asked them to see their emergence as a manifestation of God’s divine favour in their lives, adding that they should use the opportunity at their disposal to make a difference in their immediate and larger societies.
Meanwhile, the results of the primaries released by party’s Electoral Committee Chairman, Mr. Hamisu Abubakar, showed that 10 out of the 24 lawmakers clinched the party’s tickets.
These are Mr. Omonibeke Kemelayefa, (Ekeremor 2), Mr. Emelah Gentle, (Yenagoa 3), Mr. Akpe Peter Pereotubo, (Sagbama 1), Mr. Tonye Isenah, (Kolokuma/Opokuma 1), Mr. Monday Buboy E. Obolo, (Southern Ijaw 2) and Mr. Baraladei Igali, (Southern Ijaw 3).
Others are Mr. Konbowei Benson, (Southern Ijaw 4), Mr. Victor, O. Sam Ateki, (Brass 1), Mr. Ingobere Abraham, (Brass 3) and Mr. Obiene Iniyobiyo N, (Nembe 3).
The 14 fresh candidates are Ingo Iwowari, (Nembe 2), Ebi Ben Ololo, (Nembe 1), Obed Andi, (Brass), Kate Owoko, (Southern Ijaw 1), Joshua Ebikeme Ongore, (Kolokuma/opokuma 2), Salo Adikuma, (Sagbama 3), Col. Bernard Kenebai, (Sagbama 2), and Naomi B. Ogoli, (Ogbia 3), among others.
Punch