Former Governor of Bayelsa State, Seriake Dickson, has offered reasons
for his noticeable absence from official functions organised by the
administration of Governor Douye Diri, saying it is deliberate and in
consonance with his values and principles.
Dickson, who is now a Senator representing Bayelsa West Senatorial
District of the state, also denied his alleged involvement in the media
attack against Governor Douye Diri’s administration by some of his
former aides.
The ex-governor, in a statement issued and signed by him, dissociated
himself from attacks against the present administration in the state.
He said, “I want to advise that no one who is supportive of me, a member
of our party (or who claims to be), should be publicly critical of our
government. This is unacceptable.
“I am aware that some of our party stalwarts and members that I led in
these unprecedented battles and victories have one complaint of
non-inclusion or the other which is normal. The governor and the party
are available to address these issues and as such, it does not call for
a public attack on our government because an attack on the governor and
his government is an attack on our party and I do not approve of such.
“My role and my duty as a former governor and the first governor to have
done eight years, who midwifed the process of re-election, is to advise,
support, and pray for the success of this administration. My take is
that every person in the current administration at all levels, beginning
with the governor is part of our team.
“And that is why my prayers are with all of them. That is also why I
will not support anybody among my supporters to do anything to attack
this government. Whoever is doing it is doing a great disservice to me,
the state, and the party.”
He continued, “Having played the roles I have played in the state over
the years. I know the penchant of some of our people for divisive,
rumour mongering, character assassination, blackmail, and unnecessary
political propaganda and positioning. I also know that a number of those
who promote this division are not usually available during critical
battles.
“Their mission is to pull down dependable and loyal party members and
undermine critical stakeholders just for their selfish personal
political agenda. I believe the governor knows this too.
“This is why I will call on the governor, members of his team, and the
party’s leadership to take steps to unify and create an atmosphere of
inclusiveness and togetherness of the political family and the party
with the governor as the new leader. The governor is head of both the
party and the government and he had my support and I urge all
stakeholders to stop the divisive politics and give him their support.
“Having led the state in opposition since 2015, (the first to do so),
and successfully prosecuted the succession battle that resulted in the
Prosperity Government (still in opposition), I call on the Peoples
Democratic Party’s leaders and members to appreciate what God has done
for us.
“No one has a greater stake in the governor’s success than me. I am
aware of the concerns raised about the distance I have kept since
leaving office. This is deliberate and in consonance with my values and
principles.
“While I was governor, I took a conscious decision known to so many that
whoever was going to succeed me was going to have the free hand to run
his government with my full support. I am not one of those who believe
that a governor should be remote-controlled.
“A governor should be free to take actions and decisions to pursue
programmes, projects, and policies he believes in. A governor must be in
charge and I have always encouraged Governor Diri to take charge and to
also take responsibility at all times.
“In the process, where he deems it, he can consult stakeholders for
their inputs and advice and that the governor does with me and others.
This is why we did not enter into any agreement nor give the governor
any condition for my (support) and our full and total support other than
to do his best for the state and the Ijaw nation and in doing so, he has
our continuous support.
“Having successfully led the efforts to enthrone him and his government,
my job is done as a midwife. And as one elder statesman aptly put it, I
have conducted myself as a midwife and not as a nurse since leaving
office with that personal conviction. My prayer is that he should do
better than I did in the interest of the state and the Ijaw nation.
“Our people should disregard any propaganda peddled by anyone no matter
how highly placed to be false, unfounded, and a mischievous attempt to
malign me and cause needless and non-existing division in the state.
“I urge all our supporters to be patient as the government is yet young
and I am sure that the governor, being a foundation member of my
government, knows all our people and where they fit in, and as time goes
these issues will be resolved.
“For the purpose of emphasis, I do not for any reason approve of or
support any such unacceptable attack on our government.”