Bayelsa State Governor, Honourable Henry Seriake Dickson, has appealed to leaders and members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to eschew rancour and divisive tendencies that could mar the December 9 national convention of the party.

Dickson, in a press release by his Special Adviser on Public Affairs, Daniel Alabrah, also urged members to close ranks and put aside selfish interests in the overall interest of the party and the country's democracy.

“The December 9 convention of our great party offers yet another opportunity for all leaders, members and contestants for various offices to close ranks, show commitment and loyalty to the PDP as well as enhance the democratic culture of tolerance and sportsmanship,” he said.

The Bayelsa helmsman, who was chairman of the party's reconciliation committee, condemned in strong terms the reported plot by a group within the party to hold a parallel convention, noting that the PDP has had enough of crises and that there is no better time to rebuild the party than now.

He added that Nigerians are looking up to the party to provide strong leadership, especially at this critical time in the nation's democratic experience.

“I call on all party leaders and aspirants for various offices to prepare for the convention. Elders and leaders of the party at all levels should also support the caretaker committee to deliver a successful convention.

“A rancour-free convention is a sine qua non to get back to power again at the centre in 2019. So members and all contestants must subsume their individual interests in the overall interest of our party and the brighter future ahead of us,” he said.