Politics remains one huge fascination especially to the aficionados in spite of delimiting factors for genuine democratisation of the process and benefits in our clime. Those who share this undying love for the prospects which politics offers the people for a better life in a just and humane society are wont to believe that despite the imperfections, some politicians are still worthy of leadership and should be supported in their aspirations to effect a change.
But regrettably, this class of political leaders is few as most of those who fill the political space are seen as jobbers and charlatans, who resorted to politics as a short cut to wealth and fame. And this may be a disincentive for the people to trust and believe politicians when in their usual cycle of electioneering campaign, they go round shopping for votes.
Thus, the challenge is for the electorate, through relevant civic education and activism, to demand for a saner approach to our politics which should seek to enhance true development and welfare of the people, a new social contract of commitment that emphasizes genuine public service rather than self-serving orientation of a political class common in the polity.
These were issues of interest and due observation when this reporter was recently on the campaign trail of the governor of Bayelsa State, Henry Seriake Dickson, who significantly comes across as one politician making a difference in the proper sense of the utility of politics as a means to renewal.
Perhaps, the question of values and individual convictions and of course the fervent recognition of the critical role of history in the affairs of men and verdict of posterity may be the driving force but no matter, Seriake Dickson is an emerging political leader who may play a bigger role on the national stage in the future. The nation certainly needs many of those with his attributes in our collective quest for development rather than the usual refrain of a nation of potentials.
Dickson is real, visionary and engaging. He is arguably a grassroots mobilizer, a proud Ijaw man, pro-people and obviously a liberal. I looked at him closely, interpreted his thoughts and came to the conclusion that Bayelsans are lucky to have such a brilliant man as their governor. The tremendous achievements of his on-going first term, particularly the quality of his work, the deep thoughts shaping them and future implication for a prosperous Bayelsa State only formed background of my assessment and judicious verdict.
Following his campaign trail reveals a man genuinely loved by his people. In Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, the “Community-to-Community meet the people tour” afforded the governor the opportunity to tell his story of a successful first term now winding down and prospects of a re-election to do more by his restoration administration and the need for the people’s endorsement.
In presenting his case for re-election, the governor’s concern had been the need for continuity of his vision where Bayelsa State could continue to enjoy uninterrupted development in infrastructure provision, particularly opening up the state by connecting those inaccessible but important locations by roads and bridges, thereby enhancing commerce and civilization, manpower development through his free and compulsory education, scholarships, health, job creation and the very broad plans for the diversification of the state economy focusing on such ambitious projects like the Agge Deep Seaport, the LNG in Brass, investment in power generation and the eco-industrial park as well as the completion of the airport at Amassoma now about 60 per cent ready. He is also interested in further entrenching a governance culture based on transparency and accountability just as he would want the security of the state maintained to avoid a relapse to the past.
It was fun all the way as he presented the serious issues in the campaign to the people, mocking Sylva and the APC either in his mannerism, gesticulations or humorous demonstrations of the evil he said the APC constitutes if allowed any opportunity in the state and his repeated admonition to reject APC and its candidate, Sylva, like a plague.
Although the presence of APC in Bayelsa State is a good thing in a democracy as it creates room for competition, its possible impact in the December 5 governorship election may not be quite positive as many had thought. Hope seems dimming following a number of strategic errors and effects especially on the part of Sylva and the inability to manage the initial semblance of success of the APC in Bayelsa State. The expectation is that one would see its huge presence in the state, especially the capital, Yenagoa, holding big rallies, campaigning strongly but it wasn’t so. Unlike the governor, who is gaining ground by the day from very strategic constituencies like one witnessed during the 4th Bayelsa State Thanksgiving Day where core and influential clergymen openly endorsed him for re-election with such a very large crowd in attendance.
On the campaign trail, Dickson’s deep connection with the people says something about him as a politician. Besides being a compelling campaigner, hitting on the soul of those issues and concerns the people could relate with, he bonds so well with the folks as one of them, demystifying the governor status. For this street sense of believing Governor Seriake Dickson is your next door neighbor kind of leader, he is better recognised and called the ‘Contriman governor” and for his reliability as one governor who fulfills his promises you hear of “Talk na do governor” among the folks.
At Swali, a community in Yenagoa Local Government, Dickson asked the people to remember he is a man who never forgets his friends and people he met along the way, intimating that he rewards loyalty and that those who work hard enough to actualize his re-election would be compensated. He also repeated similar messages at Abola, Azikoro, Okaka, Ekeki, shaking hands with the commercial tricycle riders and passengers to press home his message as he walked the over one kilometer road to attend yet another town hall meeting at Kpansia, a community in the state capital which ended late into the night.
It is still early to pronounce a definite verdict but based on political tendencies observed and the possible effect on the election -day, Dickson is favoured to be re-elected as a reward for his performance and perhaps with a tinge of sentiment as the APC has yet to prove the important point of being truly a credible alternative.
- Daniel Markson is the Chief Press Secretary to the Bayelsa State Governor
