Progressive Peoples Alliance, PPA, in Bayelsa State, has dissociated itself from the endorsement of Governor Seriake Dickson of the state for a second term, by 13 political parties under the aegis of the Inter-Party Advisory Council, IPAC, and the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties, CNPP, saying it was not consulted.

The political parties, including the African Democratic Congress, ADC, KOWA, Accord Party, Unity Party of Nigeria, UPN, United Nigeria People’s Party, UNPP, Social Democratic Mega Party, SDMP, the Independent Democrat, ID, and six others, had last week announced that the endorsement of Governor Dickson was based on verifiable performance in the area of security, infrastructure development and empowerment.

The Treasurer of IPAC and state chairman of New Nigerian Peoples Democratic Party, NNPDP, Inko Namatebe, had declared on behalf of others that the political parties adopted Dickson because of his sterling leadership qualities and that with Dickson securing a second tenure, the state would remain in safe hands.

But the state chairman of PPA, Alex Peretu, said though the PPA was a member of IPAC and the CNPP, adding that the party was never part of any meeting of political parties where it was decided that the second term aspiration of the state governor be endorsed.

In the statement issued in Yenagoa, Peretu, said: “The attention of the state chapter has been drawn to a publication in some national dailies purportedly stating that PPA was among the 13 political parties that endorsed Governor Dickson for a second term bid. The party would like to dissociate itself from the purported endorsement of the governor as we were not consulted before the decision was taken by the leaders of IPAC.

“Even though we do have an excellent working relationship with the governor and the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state, that does not amount to an endorsement. We, therefore, use this medium to admonish our loyal party members to disregard and ignore the publication because it does not express the intention of the party in any form.”