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Tag: Seriake Dickson

  • PDP blasts Bayelsa elder over attack on Dickson’s government

    The Bayelsa State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Saturday accused Chief Alex Ekiotenne, an elder of the party and former adviser to Governor Seriake Dickson of hypocrisy and greed.

    The party said insatiable quest for money was the real reason why the elder statesmen and his Likes abandoned the Bayelsa State Government.

    PDP said Ekiotenne and other elders in the Bayelsa Peoples Consultative Assembly (BPCA), who are against the re-election of the governor, were only after their selfish interest against the collective interest of the state.

    Ekiotenne, a former supporter of Dickson, told journalist that he opted out of the governor’s administration because he (Dickson) disappointed Bayelsans.

    He said the governor derailed from the consultative approach to developmental programmes and transparency objectives of his government.

    According to him, Dickson without consultations embarked on many projects in one swoop without considerations to prioritisation, strategic needs and funding prospects.

    But PDP in a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Mr. Osom Macbere, condemned the action of Ekiotenne, describing it as most embarrassing and disgraceful.

    He said the elder has remained one of the major beneficiaries of the Dickson administration.

     

  • APC, Dickson trade words over party crisis

    The All Progressive Congress (APC), Bayelsa State chapter, has accused the state Governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson, of hiring a former state Security Adviser, Chief Richard Kpodo, to create crisis in the party.

    The APC in a statement signed by its state Chairman, Chief Tiwe Oruminighe, insisted that Kpodo, who was expelled from the party was being used by the governor to destabilize APC ahead of the 2016 governorship election.

    But Dickson dismissed the allegation and advised the APC to deal with its self-inflicted problems instead of trading blames.

    Kpodo in a press conference set up a parallel Executive Committee, proclaiming himself the chairman of the party.

    The party in the statement said it initially wanted to ignore Kpodo “for the fact that he had been expelled from the party with ignominy,” but decided to reply him for the benefits of some persons who are “oblivious of his tainted background as a blackmailer and political jobber.”

    APC urged the people to disregard Kpodo’s antics, describing him as a drowning man, a nuisance and a stooge in the hand of Dickson’s administration.

    The statement said: “It should be recalled that a few months ago, Kpodoh declared that the APC in the state was dead on arrival because the party refused his demand to be made state chairman.

    “Since then he had been working to sabotage the party, hence he was expelled. It is now baffling that he has turned around to declare himself the state chairman of a party he said was dead on arrival!

    “We are not unaware of the antecedent of Kpodoh. He has always lend himself useful as an agent of destabilization in state. This has been his way of life. That is why he is today being used by the Bayelsa State government to cause confusion in the APC. He will not succeed.”

    The party also lamented the attacks on its members by the state command of the Nigerian Police.

    It said the command had allowed itself to be used as an agent of doom by the state government, adding that the police had been used to harass its members.

    “We want to let the state police command to realize that if the police has one million men, we have civilian police who are more than that, and if they are 500,000 the APC civilian police is more than a million.

    “We believe that we are in a democracy and it is obvious that a supposed unbiased umpire like the police is now allowing itself to be used by the state government against the opposition.

    “The Inspector General of Police is hereby called upon to investigate the activities of the state command and curb its excesses,” the party said.

     

  • Dickson to APC: We used N242bn to service Sylva’s debt

    Dickson to APC: We used N242bn to service Sylva’s debt

    Governor of Bayelsa State, Mr. Seriake Dickson, on Monday told the All Progressive Congress (APC) that his government has so far spent N242billion to service N332billion debt it inherited from ex-Governor of the state, Chief Timipre Sylva.

    Dickson spoke while reacting to a criticism by the National Chairman of APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, that Dickson had nothing to show for N440billion he received from the Federation Account in over three years.

    Odigie-Oyegun, who spoke through the party’s National Vice-Chairman, South-South, Mr. Hilliard Etaho, while receiving defectors to APC in Yenagoa, also urged the people of the state to vote out Dickson.

    But the governor said his government was able to reduce the state debt to N90billion and at the same time initiated and executed many projects in the state.

    Dickson in a statement signed in Yenagoa by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson, said his government achieved the feat through prudent management and commitment to the ethos of good governance.

    “Out of the N440 billion that his government received as allocation from the Federation Account, about N242 billion was used to help pay down that debt even as it embarked on an unprecedented level of infrastructural development and socio-economic welfare schemes.

    “This is why the Bayelsa State government considers as very uncharitable, the statement attributed to APC Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, that the government has nothing to show for that allocation from the centre,” Dickson said.

    He said the APC chairman’s posture was highly curious against his earlier warning to defectors to remain in their parties to build opposition in the interest of development.

    He said: “Such defectors are no loss to us in the state and the APC richly deserves what it gets by welcoming and accommodating elements steeped in treachery into its ranks.

    “But Chief Oyegun should kindly leave the Bayelsa State government out of its growing confusion.

    “The state government is preoccupied with changing the lives of Bayelsans for good as is already evident in its transparent administration, commitment to good governance, landmark infrastructural development, empowerment of the people, free compulsory qualitative education, social welfare payments to the elderly and unprecedented health infrastructure.

    “If the APC is expecting the defectors it is now welcoming with open arms to win the governorship election in the state, they will have to wait till eternity. Bayelsans have no time for political miscreants.”

  • Dickson to Sylva: Forget your governorship ambition

    Dickson to Sylva: Forget your governorship ambition

    The Bayelsa State Governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson, on Monday asked the former Governor of the state and chieftain of the All Progressive Congress (APC), Timipre Sylva, to forget his ambition to return to the Government House in 2016.

    Dickson described Sylva’s first term as governor of the state as the darkest days in the history of Bayelsa.

    The governor in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson, urged the former governor to consider his ambition as illusion, “because people of Bayelsa now know better.”

    Dickson was reacting to comments credited to Sylva, who accused him of governance by “intimidation and fear.”

    He said: “Sylva remarks epitomized those of a man, who has lost focus and not in touch with the realities on ground.

    “It is heartwarming that he (Sylva) is not accusing me of multiple crimes and criminality, secret killings, cultism, large scale corruption and brigandage, which were the hallmarks of his tenure as governor of Bayelsa State.

    “Sylva’s days as governor of Bayelsa State were the darkest in the history of the state. Bayelsans have become wiser and would not be cajoled or hoodwinked by his antics.

    “If Sylva is a wise man, he would have seen the handwriting on the wall, that Bayelsans have since rejected him by voting massively for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in all the recent elections.

    “As a clear manifestation of the people’s total dislike for Sylva, he lost in his unit, ward and constituency in the state and National Assembly polls, that were conducted recently in the state. These are ominous signals that he can’t be governor again.”

     

  • I’ll forever remain grateful to Alamieyeseigha – Jonathan

    I’ll forever remain grateful to Alamieyeseigha – Jonathan

    Former President Goodluck Jonathan has paid tribute to his former boss, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, for giving him a breakthrough in politics.

    Chief Alamieyeseigha picked Dr. Jonathan as running mate for the 1999 governorship election in Bayelsa State which they won.

    The former President went on to replace Alamieyeseigha as governor following his impeachment.

    He was preparing to seek re-election as governor in 2007 when he was drafted in as running mate to the late Alhaji Umaru Yar’Adua in that year’s Presidential election.

    Speaking during  an interdenominational thanksgiving service organised by the Bayelsa State government as part of the grand reception in his honour in Yenagoa, yesterday Jonathan said he never dreamed of becoming  a commissioner in the state until Alamieyeseigha convinced him to become his running mate in 1999.

    “Without Alamieyeseigha, l wouldn’t have been here talking about being a former President. Nobody would have heard about Jonathan without him. So, help me thank him,” he said.

    He appealed to religious leaders and the Christian community to keep praying for him and his family saying that he would continue to contribute to development and nation-building by virtue of his current position.

    He commended the CAN President and other Christian leaders for their prayers and support throughout his Presidency.

    Jonathan who read the first Bible lesson from Luke 17:11-12 hailed his former aides for their services to the country saying that they all worked tirelessly to develop the country.

    He praised Dickson for packaging the grand reception.

    The thanksgiving service, which was held at the St. Peter’s Anglican Church, Ovom, Yenagoa, was attended by dignitaries from across the country and abroad.

    Governor Seriake Dickson and his wife, Rachel, Deputy Governor John Jonah, Alamieyeseigha, Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Mr. Kombowei Benson and other notable politicians in the state were in attendance as were over 50 former presidential aides including ministers.

    The Governor of Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Wike, led a high-powered delegation of Rivers people including the former Governor of the state, Celestine Omehia, to the event.

    President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Pastor  Ayo Oritsejafor, received Jonathan and his wife, Patience, at the church.

    Earlier in his welcome address, Dickson said the people of the state were elated to welcome the former President and thanked the people for accompanying him to his Otuoke country home.

    “The significance of this thanksgiving is that we as a government felt that all the activities will not be complete unless we assemble here to thank the awesome God for the opportunity granted us to serve this country.

    “Our leader Jonathan did a great job and he has now entered into an exclusive club of national and international statesman. We know the challenges of public office but God helped him and we are very grateful to God”, he said.

    In his sermon, Pastor Uma Ukpai described Jonathan as “one man that remembers those who helped him when he was nobody. He was approachable and he doesn’t behave like a   Nigerian.”

    The highpoint of the event was a presentation made to Mrs. Jonathan by a group of Abuja women led by Onyeka Onwenu.

  • Dickson blasts defecting Bayelsa lawmaker

    Dickson blasts defecting Bayelsa lawmaker

    The Bayelsa State Government on Thursday derided the Senator representing Bayelsa East Senatorial District, Clever Ikisikpo, over his comments during his defection to the All Progressive Congress.

    He said the lawmaker while officially announcing his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), alongside other lawmakers and their supporters to APC, said that he (Dickson) will soon join the party.

    Dickson in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson, described Ikisikpo’s remarks as most uncharitable.

    He noted that the comments were made out of frustration “to dignify his perfidy and robe Governor Dickson into his dubious defection scheme.”

    He said: “A man who rose from relative obscurity through the platform of the PDP from 1999 as House of Assembly member and later to the National Assembly, serving as a two term member of the green chambers and from there rose through the shoulders of President Goodluck Jonathan to the Senate, could not even as a mark of honour and respect, wait for the President, his benefactor, kinsman and leader of a political party that gave him so much, to leave office before defecting to the APC.

    “It shows the height of desperation, treachery, mischief and blackmail perpetrated by some of the so-called PDP leaders, who worked to deny the party victory at the polls even against one of their own.

    “As a government, we are not surprised at Ikisikpo’s action and others like him. In fact, the public should expect many more defections in the days to come from those, who worked against candidates of the party in the recently-concluded House of Assembly elections. It is pertinent to state that, their leaving the party is of no consequence to the fortunes. We want to assure them that posterity will be the judge.”

  • Dickson 100% in support of Jonathan – PDP

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bayelsa State chapter, on Wednesday declared that the Governor of the state, Mr. Seriake Dickson, remained 100 per cent in support of President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election bid.

    The party spoke while reacting to an advertorial questioning the loyalty of Dickson to Jonathan by a group under the aegis of the Niger Delta United for Jonathan (NDUJ).

    PDP in a statement signed by its state Chairman, Col. Sam Inokoba (rtd), described the content of the advertorial as fallacies and product of a faceless group.

    He said the party would not have joined issues with non-existing group had the group made its allegations at normal times.

    “However, these are no ordinary times. We cannot pretend to be ignorant of the reality that with the increasing desperation of the opposition at the national and state levels- there is no telling how low certain elements will stoop in order to satisfy their paymasters,” he said.

    He said as a responsible state chapter of the largest political party in Africa, the Bayelsa PDP would not allow a few jesters to deceive party faithful and the general public that political leaders were at war.

    He said: “These opposition elements apparently think they can exploit the liberty of running to the media with tales of an imaginary crisis to drive a wedge between Her Excellency, Dame Patience Jonathan and Governor Seriake Dickson. They are dead wrong.

    “We in Bayelsa PDP are way too informed to be ignorant of the devices of the opposition. As a people-oriented party, we want to assure the general public that the state is peaceful, united and solidly behind our amiable governor.”

    Urging the public to disregard reports of crisis in the state, Inokoba said no amount of blackmail, mudslinging or propaganda against the governor could set him on collision course with Mr. President and the first family.

    He said the first family is wiser than the antics of the opposition and the objectives of such campaign of calumny.

     

  • Dickson assures northerners of safety in Bayelsa

    Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson has  assured northerners in the state of their safety before, during and after the elections.

    Dickson convened a meeting following reports that northerners were fleeing for fear of electoral violence.

    Many northerners living in the state have relocated despite appeals by their leaders to remain calm.

    But Dickson was said to have met with the Northern community in the government House, Yenagoa, promising to protect them.

    The governor, in a statement yesterday by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson, said the safety of lives and properties of people living in the state remained the cardinal objective of his administration.

    He expressed satisfaction with the cordial relationship between the people of the state and the non-indigenous community.

    He noted that Bayelsa is home to all law-abiding citizens, stressing that the government was prepared to do everything within its powers to maintain the  bond between the state and the rest of the country.

    He said: “I have decided to meet with you to reassure you that, your safety, your security and even that of your properties, are guaranteed. As a Government, we are not resting on our oars, especially at times like this”.

    Saying that he is a committed and firm believer in the indivisibility of Nigeria, Dickson urged the northern community not to be afraid of the forthcoming elections.

    He told them that as Nigerians, they were entitled to vote according to their conscience without any form of molestation.

    “As an individual and as a government, we believe in the indivisibility of Nigeria and we will do everything on our part, to uphold and protect it and we mean every bit of what we are saying in this direction,” he said.

    The governor also urged Bayelsans to remain law abiding at all times and warned that, the law enforcement agencies had been put on red alert to deal decisively with any suspected troublemaker, before, during and after the forthcoming elections.ayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson has  assured northerners in the state of their safety before, during and after the elections.

    Dickson convened a meeting following reports that northerners were fleeing for fear of electoral violence.

    Many northerners living in the state have relocated despite appeals by their leaders to remain calm.

    But Dickson was said to have met with the Northern community in the government House, Yenagoa, promising to protect them.

    The governor, in a statement yesterday by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson, said the safety of lives and properties of people living in the state remained the cardinal objective of his administration.

    He expressed satisfaction with the cordial relationship between the people of the state and the non-indigenous community.

    He noted that Bayelsa is home to all law-abiding citizens, stressing that the government was prepared to do everything within its powers to maintain the  bond between the state and the rest of the country.

    He said: “I have decided to meet with you to reassure you that, your safety, your security and even that of your properties, are guaranteed. As a Government, we are not resting on our oars, especially at times like this”.

    Saying that he is a committed and firm believer in the indivisibility of Nigeria, Dickson urged the northern community not to be afraid of the forthcoming elections.

    He told them that as Nigerians, they were entitled to vote according to their conscience without any form of molestation.

    “As an individual and as a government, we believe in the indivisibility of Nigeria and we will do everything on our part, to uphold and protect it and we mean every bit of what we are saying in this direction,” he said.

    The governor also urged Bayelsans to remain law abiding at all times and warned that, the law enforcement agencies had been put on red alert to deal decisively with any suspected troublemaker, before, during and after the forthcoming elections.

  • Etete to First Lady: Leave Dickson alone

    A former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Chief Dan Etete, came down hard on the First Lady, Patience Jonathan and warned her to steer clear of the Governor of Bayelsa State, Mr. Seriake Dickson.

    Etete, who fumed over the alleged meddlesomeness of Mrs. Jonathan in the affairs of the state cautioned her against involving herself in the internal politics of the state.

    The First Lady has been accused of erecting structures through the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN) to deny Dickson re-election in 2016.

    Her activities had reportedly polarized the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) into two antagonizing groups ahead of the February general election.

    She was said to have further demonstrated her enmity with the governor recently by refusing to have handshakes with Dickson during the burial ceremony of President Goodluck Jonathan’s younger sister, Nancy Jonathan-Olei in Otuoke, Ogbia.

    Disturbed by the development, Etete who spoke at the weekend in Yenagoa at an event to mark his 70th birthday, accused the First Lady of being “jealous” of the “exceptional performance” of Governor Dickson.

    The former minister promised to lead the fight to stop Mrs. Jonathan from further sabotaging the governor.

    Etete wondered why the First Lady was preoccupied with her Dickson-must-go project instead of clearing the path for her husband’s re-election.

    He further queried the status of the First Lady wondering who appointed her the “lord over Bayelsa to determine who becomes governor and who doesn’t.”

    “I am using this opportunity to warn the First Lady not to make the mistake of trying to dislodge Governor Dickson.

    “It is a known fact that Dickson has performed beyond the expectation of most Bayelsans, and that out of nothing but sheer jealousy the First Lady and her cheerleaders want him out to pave way for their selfish interests,” he said.

    The event had in attendance Governor Dickson and prominent Ijaw leaders such as Chief Edwin Clark, among others.

    Etete stated that his 15-year absence from Bayelsa had not affected his understanding of political events in the state.

     

  • Dickson to guber aspirants: Don’t overheat the polity

    Dickson to guber aspirants: Don’t overheat the polity

    The Governor of Bayelsa State, Mr. Seriake Dickson, on Thursday warned persons gunning for his job in the state to shelve their ambitions and wait for the right time.

    The governor said it was irresponsible for people to heat up the state’s polity over a governorship election that will hold next year.

    Dickson spoke following indications that a camp of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) loyal to Dame Patience, the wife of President Goodluck Jonathan, was strategizing to kick him out of office.

    But the governor who spoke at the 47th state executive council meeting in a Yenagoa asked his opponents to dissipate their energy on the reelection of President Jonathan in February.

    He said the reelection of the President should be the preoccupation of all members of the party in the state instead of promoting divisive and selfish tendencies.

    The governor urged politicians in the state to jettison every selfish motive to galvanize support for President Jonathan in the forthcoming presidential election.

    He also called on security agencies to intensify their efforts in ensuring peace for socio-economic activities to thrive in the state.

    He commended the people of the state for their love and support for his administration, but decried the activities of some overzealous politicians, accusing them of using cheap blackmail and propaganda to run down his government