You Don’t Have The Power To Send Us Packing From Bayelsa – TAN Tells Dickson

The Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria, TAN, in Bayelsa State has expressed shock and disbelief at a statement credited to the state Governor, Seriake Dickson, directing TAN and other such support groups to leave the state.

In a statement issued in Yenagoa on Saturday, and signed by TAN’s Director of Publicity for Bayelsa, the group noted that the directive was regrettable.

“We are shocked because we find it hard to understand how an elected governor of a state would make such a statement in a democratic setting, as we have in Nigeria.

“There is nowhere in the Nigerian Constitution that gives any governor such powers.

“TAN in Bayelsa is however, aware of plots by some over-zealous government officials to portray groups such as TAN, Women for Change Initiative and others in very bad light.

“These officials make it appear as if these groups are against the state government.

“We wish to re-assure Governor Henry Seriake Dickson that TAN is ready to co-operate with his government in carrying the message of Mr. President’s achievements and need for re-election to every nook and cranny of the state”, TAN said.

The group urged its members and supporters to remain resolute and not lose focus, since the presidential election is less than a month from now.

Meanwhile, the Bayelsa State Government insisted on Saturday that TAN must work under the state’s presidential campaign team instead of “causing disaffection” among the generality of people in the state.

The chief press secretary to the Governor, Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson, who re-affirmed the state government’s position, noted that since the leadership of TAN has been subsumed into the state presidential campaign team, the group ceases to be relevant.

Mr. Iworiso-Markson stressed that there cannot be two leaderships in the state.