Former Governor of Bayelsa State, Seriake Dickson, has offered reasons
\nfor his noticeable absence from official functions organised by the
\nadministration of Governor Douye Diri, saying it is deliberate and in
\nconsonance with his values and principles.<\/p>\n
Dickson, who is now a Senator representing Bayelsa West Senatorial
\nDistrict of the state, also denied his alleged involvement in the media
\nattack against Governor Douye Diri’s administration by some of his
\nformer aides.<\/p>\n
The ex-governor, in a statement issued and signed by him, dissociated
\nhimself from attacks against the present administration in the state.<\/p>\n
He said, “I want to advise that no one who is supportive of me, a member
\nof our party (or who claims to be), should be publicly critical of our
\ngovernment. This is unacceptable.<\/p>\n
“I am aware that some of our party stalwarts and members that I led in
\nthese unprecedented battles and victories have one complaint of
\nnon-inclusion or the other which is normal. The governor and the party
\nare available to address these issues and as such, it does not call for
\na public attack on our government because an attack on the governor and
\nhis government is an attack on our party and I do not approve of such.<\/p>\n
“My role and my duty as a former governor and the first governor to have
\ndone eight years, who midwifed the process of re-election, is to advise,
\nsupport, and pray for the success of this administration. My take is
\nthat every person in the current administration at all levels, beginning
\nwith the governor is part of our team.<\/p>\n
“And that is why my prayers are with all of them. That is also why I
\nwill not support anybody among my supporters to do anything to attack
\nthis government. Whoever is doing it is doing a great disservice to me,
\nthe state, and the party.”<\/p>\n
He continued, “Having played the roles I have played in the state over
\nthe years. I know the penchant of some of our people for divisive,
\nrumour mongering, character assassination, blackmail, and unnecessary
\npolitical propaganda and positioning. I also know that a number of those
\nwho promote this division are not usually available during critical
\nbattles.<\/p>\n
“Their mission is to pull down dependable and loyal party members and
\nundermine critical stakeholders just for their selfish personal
\npolitical agenda. I believe the governor knows this too.<\/p>\n
“This is why I will call on the governor, members of his team, and the
\nparty’s leadership to take steps to unify and create an atmosphere of
\ninclusiveness and togetherness of the political family and the party
\nwith the governor as the new leader. The governor is head of both the
\nparty and the government and he had my support and I urge all
\nstakeholders to stop the divisive politics and give him their support.<\/p>\n
“Having led the state in opposition since 2015, (the first to do so),
\nand successfully prosecuted the succession battle that resulted in the
\nProsperity Government (still in opposition), I call on the Peoples
\nDemocratic Party’s leaders and members to appreciate what God has done
\nfor us.<\/p>\n
“No one has a greater stake in the governor\u2019s success than me. I am
\naware of the concerns raised about the distance I have kept since
\nleaving office. This is deliberate and in consonance with my values and
\nprinciples.<\/p>\n
“While I was governor, I took a conscious decision known to so many that
\nwhoever was going to succeed me was going to have the free hand to run
\nhis government with my full support. I am not one of those who believe
\nthat a governor should be remote-controlled.<\/p>\n
“A governor should be free to take actions and decisions to pursue
\nprogrammes, projects, and policies he believes in. A governor must be in
\ncharge and I have always encouraged Governor Diri to take charge and to
\nalso take responsibility at all times.<\/p>\n
“In the process, where he deems it, he can consult stakeholders for
\ntheir inputs and advice and that the governor does with me and others.
\nThis is why we did not enter into any agreement nor give the governor
\nany condition for my (support) and our full and total support other than
\nto do his best for the state and the Ijaw nation and in doing so, he has
\nour continuous support.<\/p>\n
“Having successfully led the efforts to enthrone him and his government,
\nmy job is done as a midwife. And as one elder statesman aptly put it, I
\nhave conducted myself as a midwife and not as a nurse since leaving
\noffice with that personal conviction. My prayer is that he should do
\nbetter than I did in the interest of the state and the Ijaw nation.<\/p>\n
“Our people should disregard any propaganda peddled by anyone no matter
\nhow highly placed to be false, unfounded, and a mischievous attempt to
\nmalign me and cause needless and non-existing division in the state.<\/p>\n
“I urge all our supporters to be patient as the government is yet young
\nand I am sure that the governor, being a foundation member of my
\ngovernment, knows all our people and where they fit in, and as time goes
\nthese issues will be resolved.<\/p>\n
“For the purpose of emphasis, I do not for any reason approve of or
\nsupport any such unacceptable attack on our government.”<\/p>\n
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…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":78962,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-78961","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\n