There are some leaders in Nigeria who go into power without understanding the intrigues in governance. They were never set for power and the storms that accompany executive powers. These sets of individuals end up with track records of political deficits and under- development within their sphere of governance.
One of such leaders is the Governor of Bayelsa State, Mr. Seriake Dickson. Although, he was a former Commissioner for Justice in Bayelsa and a former federal lawmaker, however, these credentials have not made him a Joshua –leader, perhaps a Pharaoh, would be more appropriate as a title considering the state of affairs in Bayelsa today.
Seriake Dickson came into power as a child of circumstance; he was foisted into leadership by power brokers in the State, at a time when the relationship between the former Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Timipre Sylva and former President Goodluck Jonathan had deteriorated. Sylva was accused of political arrogance; having little or no respect for political stakeholders in the State. Of course, political associates of the former President took advantage of the poor relationship between Goodluck Jonathan and Timipre Sylva to teach Sylva a political lesson. They successfully ensured that Sylva was disqualified from contesting for a second term under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
It was in the midst of this political impasse that some political marketers went and shopped for Seriake Dickson. Many statesmen in Bayelsa complained on the choice of Dickson, stating that the man was morally challenged. Some politicians even alleged that Seriake had embezzled some millions of Naira during his era as an Attorney General of the State. But some selfish politicians who were eager of becoming political godfathers ignored words of reasons. At this time it was clear that any person who emerged as the PDP flag bearer in the Bayelsa would be emerged as the winner of the general election.
After much politicking, Sylva was frustrated out and Dickson was foisted into power.Consequently, Dickson,became the third elected Governor of Bayelsa State. Dickson did not spend up to six months in office when he jetted out of the country for leave. The first six months of his administration gave glimpses of hope, but before citizens of the state could appreciate the rays of hope, Seriake gave in to social frivolities.
Governor Dickson spent his first two years hosting different economic and cultural summits at home and abroad with the aim of attracting investors. Millions of Naira that would have bettered the lives of the average man was wasted on different summit most of them which had no economic benefit to the ordinary Bayelsan. It could be recalled that the Bayelsa State government established the Bayelsa Development and Investment Corporation (BDIC), with foreign offices in London and Johannesburg respectively, the London office was inaugurated in 2014, while that of Johannesburg was commissioned in 2013. These platforms many critics of the Dickson administration say are platforms to launder the state funds abroad. Is also on record that the Dickson administration has spent millions hosting economic summits which have no economic impact to the fortunes of the state.
Last year, another, opportunity came up for Bayelsans to replace Governor Dickson whose greatness achievement was vainglory and media showmanship. Unfortunately, because of hunger and poverty Bayelsans bought into to the philosophy of lies and politics of money bag, by Governor Dickson. Voters were induced with money. Many voters who voted for Seriake Dickson in the last election, voted for him not because they believed that the man had performed or would ever perform but voted for because of the money he shared during the election. What Dickson did was to starve the people (owe the citizens salaries) and use the state funds to induce voters during the gubernatorial poll.
Six months after Governor Seriake took the oath of office as the elected Governor of Bayelsa State for the second time; neither Bayelsa nor Bayelsans have known peace. The State has been the home of violence- social violence and economic violence has pervaded the State. The Countryman Governor is today seen as a political Achan who has eaten the joy of the citizens. He says government is broke, but profligacy has been the priority of his administration. Dickson is one of the governors in Nigeria with the highest number of political aides.
Bayelsa is the only state in Nigeria that has officially implemented a 50% wage cut, a policy that is not only illegal by virtue of the Nigeria’s Constitution but also inhuman. For the records, issues of salaries, are found within the Exclusive List of the Nigerian Constitution, thus, states government have no powers to unilaterally review its minimum wage. Governor Dickson knows this as a lawyer, but he rather prefers to shortchange Bayelsans.
Reports from the media indicate that despite the shortfall of oil revenue in the country today, Bayelsa still ranks as one of the states that gets the highest revenue from the federal government, although the smallest state in the nation and one of the poorest state in the country, a mystery only Dickson can explain. The _ECONOMIC CONFIDENTIAL_ reported that Bayelsa state received over 8bilion Naira from the federal government for July allocation. Although Bayelsa State Government has repeatedly denied media reports that it received anything beyond four billion Naira for the month of July. Any discerning Nigeria would know that the State Government is being very economical with the truth, because Bayelsa is the only state among the 36 states of the federation that has come out to debunk media reports on the state accruals.
Under Seriake Dickson, Bayelsa, _“THE GLORY OF ALL LANDS” HAS TURN TO SORROW_ _OF ALL LANDS; THE STATE IS TODAY RENOWNED FOR FILTH AND OTHER SOCIAL DECADENCE. THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION HAS PARALYZED MOST SECTORS IN THE STATE, FROM THE EDUCATION, HEALTH, POWER AND SPORTS; THE SECTORS ARE ALL IN COMATOSE._ While the Governor, has showed little or no commitment to funding the State own University, the same Government has signed a Bill for the establishment of a new university in the home town of the Governor under the guise of the public –private partnership.
Before the coming of Seriake Dickson, as the Governor of Bayelsa State, the State owned soccer teams excelled in most sporting activities, in the country.Ocean Boys of Brass and Bayelsa United were both crowned champions of the Nigerian Premier League at different intervals, while Bayelsa Queens dominated as champions of the female league for many years. Today, both Bayelsa United and Ocean Boys are wallowing in relegation. While Bayelsa Queens are struggling to remain relevant as queens in the female league.
In the next few months, Bayelsa State would be twenty years old, but the question is that can the citizen of the State who hitherto pride themselves as people from the pride of the nation and Glory of all Lands truly say that there is any form of glory in the State? The questions on the minds of many Bayelans at such a time are why has joy become a scarce resource in the State, what has the Countryman governor been doing with all the financial accruals into the state; since he cannot even pay workers’ salaries and pensioners their pensions. For me, I would rather ask, is Seriake Dickson a metamorphosis of Achan who has eaten the peace and prosperity of Bayelsans?
Written by Ominabo Wealth Dickson
@ominabowealth
About the Author
