September 06, (THEWILL) – At last the seemingly rift between the former governor of Bayelsa state , senator Seriake Dickson who represents Bayelsa West in the senate and his successor Senator Douye Diri has been debunked and the need for unity of ruling party in the state reiterated .
Recall since after the inauguration of Governor Douye Diri, the miracle governor of Bayelsa state on 14 th February 2020, his successor, senator Seriake Dickson, has been conspicuously absent in major and mega events organized in a state he governed for eight years which has caused tongues wagging of any rift between the duo.
Notable events which the former governor had been absent which had given reasons for Bayelsans to suspect any rift between them were, the annual thanksgiving service at the Ecumenical centre, Igbo gene, which the former SSG , Bar Kemela Okara said he was the former governor’s representative. An event which attracted who is who in Bayelsa state. Also during the present administration one year in office Senator Dickson didn’t attend either.
Conversely when senator Seriake Dickson inaugurated the Bayelsa Senatorial Liaison office in Sagbama early in the year, Governor Douye Diri too was conspicuously absent, instead his Deputy Senator Lawrence EWHRUDJAKPOR was present.
Other major events that ordinarily the former governor would have attended to display his love for a governor he supported to take over from him included the first commercial flight of the Bayelsa state International Airport which was constructed during his eventful eight years as the governor of the only homogeneous Ijaw state.
During this epochal and historical event even members of the National Assembly from Bayelsa state including those from opposition party ( APC ) graced the occasion in their numbers, but Senator Seriake Dickson was again absent to the consternation of many people .Also most recently during the inauguration of the Peoples Democratic Party’s secretariat, Senator Seriake Dickson was absent without any message, whereas, senator Cleopas Moses and other people lawmakers from state assembly and national assembly were prominently present.
Meanwhile, Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) remains the party of choice for Bayelsans and would be difficult to beat in any election in the state.
Speaking in Sagbama on Saturday during a grand reception in honour of leaders from Bayelsa West Senatorial District by the state chapter of the PDP, Governor Diri noted that the party was firmly rooted in the state and had embarked on projects that endeared it to the people.
The governor urged the people of Bayelsa West to close ranks in order to consolidate on the party’s achievements.
He thanked them for the honour done to him and other leaders of the district and solicited their continuous support, stressing that the government alone cannot deliver development to the state.
His words: “I join all of our leaders and in particular our leader, Senator Seriake Dickson, and all of us in Bayelsa West that you thought it wise to honour to thank you. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. What you have done is an honour and honour would also find you.
“There is nothing we can do to pay you back. Only God can repay you.
“By God’s grace, PDP is still the party to beat in Bayelsa State. Today is not a campaign but it is a day for unity.
“Do not divide the house because you are yet to get an appointment. This is one family and we would increase in number. We have been doing that and receiving defectors and returnees in their numbers.”
Also speaking, his predecessor, Senator Seriake Dickson, dispelled rumours of a rift with Governor Diri.
A press statement signed by the chief press secretary to the Bayelsa state governor, Daniel Alabrah said, “he explained that he deliberately maintained a distance from the incumbent administration as he desired to give his successor a respectable distance to operate”
Senator Dickson stressed that” he was constantly in touch with Diri, especially on issues bordering on the development of the state”.
He recalled with delight how the PDP emerged victorious in the last governorship election and expressed the optimism that the party would continue to win future elections in the state.
The immediate past governor charged party members to shun all forms of division and support the current administration, stressing that the PDP can only be strong when it is united.
The senator representing Bayelsa West lauded Diri for his developmental strides, saying he was proud of his successor.
He also thanked the people of Bayelsa West for the honour done him and other leaders of the senatorial district and pledged to continue to serve his people diligently.
In his remarks, the Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, thanked the people of the district also for the honour done to him.
In separate remarks, the state PDP chairman, Solomon Agwana, the Bayelsa West caucus leader, Chief TKO Okorotie, Chief Fyneman Wilson and
Michael Magbisa all eulogised Governor Diri and leaders of Bayelsa West for their services to people of the area.
Highpoint of the event was the presentation of the award of honour to Diri, his deputy, Dickson and the member representing Sagbama and Ekeremor in the House of Representatives, Dr. Fredrick Agbedi.
About the Author
