BY Samuel Oyadongha

Yenagoa—A group, Grassroots Connect for Restoration, has described as laughable, allegations of secret meetings by Bayelsa State governor, Mr Seriake Dickson, with opposition party leaders and a N26 million bribe to Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, officials over the conduct of 2016 governorship election in the state.

The group said that the allegation was not only wicked and lacking in credibility, but also  a desperate attempt by the anti-development forces in the state to destroy the existing relationship between President Goodluck Jonathan and Governor Dickson and take the state back to the dark days of underdevelopment.

An online report had, last week, alleged that Dickson had become desperate to secure a second term ticket and planned to dump the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, due to alleged frosty relationship with President Jonathan.
The report alleged that an unholy meeting was held between the governor and Mr. Timipre Sylva, the former governor of the state.

It also alleged that the governor purchased a luxury Sport Utility Vehicle, SUV and paid N26 million to an official of INEC in the state to pass on to the national officials of the commission to consider the re-scheduling of the Bayelsa State gubernatorial election from 2016 to 2015.

But the pro-Dickson group, GrassCore, said  that though the race for 2016 had not begun, the decision by Dickson to seek re-election was based on performance and loyalty to the PDP and above all, the Almighty God.