The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Seriake Dickson

  • Ijaw youths urge Bayelsa politicians to obey zoning

    Ijaw youths, under the aegis of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, yesterday supported Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson.

    They urged Federal lawmakers and other politicians in the state to obey zoning.

    IYC President Udens Eradiri said it was wrong for Federal lawmakers to say that the principle of zoning was formulated by the Dickson administration to deny them a re-election.

    Eradiri noted that incumbent lawmakers “rode on the back of zoning” to the National Assembly while the arrangement had led to the even distribution of political offices in the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    The youth leader said zoning was meant to promote peace, equity and fairness.

    He x-rayed the performance of federal lawmakers, adding that they had disappointed their constituencies, despite serving many years in the National Assembly.

    According to him, the senators have not attracted any developmental projects to their various constituencies.

    Eradiri advised them to return home and allow their constituencies to try fresh hands.

    He said: “We have seen senators who went to the National Assembly and did not discuss anything concerning Bayelsa State in the two terms they served.

    “All the budgets they passed for eight years had nothing about Bayelsa. So, what are they going there to do again? All of them benefited from zoning. Why is it that now, after they have tasted the sweetness, they don’t want to leave?”

    The IYC leader said the group would resist any form of imposition of candidates on the people to ensure that peace prevailed.

    He said: “If these politicians love Bayelsa State, they should have discussed the Oporomo, the Nembe/Brass road in the National Assembly, to ensure that it was reflected in the budget.

    “For us, we are supporting the zoning arrangement so that those other zones, including Kolokuma, which has not benefited, should produce the senator this time. Otherwise, it would be an injustice to the people of Kolokuma.”

     

  • Rumpus in Bayelsa Assembly over loss of PDP tickets

    Confusion has crept into the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, following the inability of many of its members to secure the tickets of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the primaries on Saturday.

    It was learnt that so far, about 13 incumbent lawmakers lost their tickets after the primaries characterised by violence, disagreements and allegations of sharp practices.

    The primary election, it was observed, was a supremacy fight between the camp of Governor Seriake Dickson and Abuja-based politicians, who attempted to give the party tickets to their loyalists.

    It was discovered that most of Dickson’s candidates, who resigned their appointments in his cabinet to contest the primaries, emerged victorious.

    It was, however, learnt  that conflicting results emanated from some of the constituencies where the governor’s candidates were declared winners, with others laying claim to the party tickets.

    It was gathered that an altercation over an alleged alteration of the delegate list, led to a stalemate in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government.

    The election, which was rescheduled for yesterday at the Sports Complex, Yenagoa, was held amid tight security.

  • We are not working with First Lady to unseat Dickson – TAN

    We are not working with First Lady to unseat Dickson – TAN

    The Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN), Bayelsa State chapter, has denied reports that it was working with the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, to unseat the state Governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson.

    The state Director of Publicity TAN, Chief Nathan Egba, said the claims by some politicians that TAN had been given a new assignment by Mrs. Jonathan to undermine Dickson were not true.

    The reaction followed reports that the First Lady, as part of her strategies, had recruited TAN, a campaign vehicle of her husband to drive the process of kicking out the governor.

    After her resignation as a controversial Super Permanent Secretary in the state civil service, Mrs. Jonathan was reportedly set to launch operation kick Dickson out of office.

    Mrs. Jonathan was said to have consulted close associates and former loyalists of the former Governor of the state, Mr. Timipre Sylva, to lead TAN to the state.

    But many elders and major stakeholders in the state were said to be angry with Mrs. Jonathan for plotting to destabilise the state with TAN.

    The first lady was said to have already tinkered with the composition of TAN in the state and appointed a former Deputy Governor, Werinipre Seibarugu, to head the group for the new assignment.

    Seibarugu, a known associate of the first lady, was a deputy governor under Sylva, who few months ago led other loyalists of Sylva back to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    But Egba, described TAN as a socio-political organization set up to inform and mobilise the people of Nigeria towards the re-election of the President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015.

    Egba, a former Commissioner for Information in the state said the group was not out to unseat the governor.

  • First Lady’s plot to unseat Dickson gathers stream

    First Lady’s plot to unseat Dickson gathers stream

    • TAN deployed as chief tool

    Transformation Agenda of Nigeria (TAN), the chief campaigner for President Goodluck Jonathan’s second term, has been recruited to spearhead the ouster of Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State from office.

    Allegedly bankrolling the campaign in President Jonathan’s home state is his wife, Dame Patience, who recently resigned her appointment as a Permanent Secretary in the state civil service.

    The resignation confirmed speculations about the First Lady’s frosty relations with the governor.

    Mrs. Jonathan, according to political sources in the state, wants Seriake out of power not beyond 2016 when his first term expires.

    Her move is generating ripples in the state with some elders and stakeholders said to be angry at what they see as a plot to destabilise the state.

    They are considering sending a high-powered delegation to President Jonathan to call his wife to order.

    The Nation gathered that the First Lady brought in TAN to drive the ‘Seriake-must-go campaign’, and also consulted former close associates of ex-governor of the state, Mr. Timipre Sylva, to lead TAN in the state.

    The plot, sources said, entails the restructuring of TAN leadership in the state.

    Tipped to lead the new TAN is a former top government functionary in the state and close associate of the First Lady.

    The proposed TAN leader was until recently in Sylva’s camp.

    The current leader of TAN in the state, Mr. Talford Ongolo, has been pushed aside to give way for the new man.

    The new man has started his mission by coordinating the distribution of goodies from a federal government agency to the people.

    The source who pleaded anonymity said the campaign is expected to be launched soon with anti-Seriake rallies across the state.

    “This is just the latest addition to the bag of strategies mapped out by the First Lady to remove Dickson,” the source said.

    “You’ll recall that she resigned her appointment as permanent secretary to give her the moral ground to launch this war. Besides, you heard of her partnership with some federal lawmakers.

    “Right now she has resolved that TAN should drive the process. She is working with the loyalists of former governor Sylva and they are coming under the guise of TAN to work against Dickson.

    “That is her new strategy now. She wants to use the TAN structure which is everywhere to actualise her ambition.”

    He said the First Lady had already promised her foot soldiers juicy rewards after a successful campaign.

    “They are going to use TAN like a body to fight the government and they are going to engage in propaganda. It is the same thing that they are doing now, everything possible to rubbish the governor.

    “Her number one agenda is to get him out of the way.”

    The source said Bayelsa elders and stakeholders who are aware of the development will soon be “meeting with the President to plead with him to call his wife to order.”

    When contacted, Ongolo’s personal aide confirmed that his boss had been sidelined from all TAN activities in the state.

    The aide who said his name should not be mentioned said TAN suddenly accused Ongolo of being Dickson’s man and declared him unfit to handle its affairs in the state.

    “It was a surprise to all of us. Ongolo has been the coordinator of TAN in the state but recently he was not allowed to handle TAN activities any more. He was branded Dickson’s man. We don’t know what that means but we smell a rat.

    “We were also surprised to see someone coordinating the activities of TAN and it became obvious when he led the distribution of items brought for women in the state.

    “My boss still has all the documents of TAN in his custody. Nobody has had the courtesy to officially relieve him of his position.”

     

  • Dickson proposes N320.6bn budget for 2015

    Dickson proposes N320.6bn budget for 2015

    Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson has presented to the House of Assembly N320.6 billion as the budget proposal for 2015.

    Presenting on Monday what he called the Budget of Completion, Dickson said the estimate comprised N175.8 billion (54 per cent) recurrent expenditure and N144.9 billion (45.2 per cent) capital expenditure.

    He said the budget was expected to be financed from a revenue projection of N231.3 billion and capital receipts of N89.3 billion.

    Explaining the sectoral breakdown of the budget, Dickson said N65.9 billion was set aside for the Works and Infrastructure sub-sector and N21 billion for Education.

    The governor assured that most of the current projects in the Health sector would be completed, especially the five referral hospitals under construction.

    He said N7.1 billion was allocated to the Health sector to complete the Okilo Memorial Hospital and rehabilitate over 30 health centres across the state.

    For Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dickson proposed N4.2 billion.

    The governor said his administration would begin work on the new water reticulation network in the Yenagoa, next year, which would be extended to the rural communities.

    He directed the state-owned electricity company and the Ministry of Power to liaise with the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PEDC) to ensure improved power supply in the state.

    Dickson allocated N7.6 billion to the public utilities sub-sector.

    The governor said he was committed to the completion of the two sports academies at Asoama, in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area, and Angalabiri, in Sagbama Local Government Area.

    He allocated N4.2 billion to the Sports sub-sector.

    Proposing N1.98 billion to the Information and Communications sector, Dickson said the digitalisation of the electronic media, including the state-owned radio and television stations, would be actualised through adequate funding.

    The governor said N2,755,240,000,000 was earmarked to the Social Development, Women and Youth Empowerment sub-sector; N990 million to Environment; N1,652,000,000 to Science and Technology and N2,976,000,000 to the Transport sector.

    Housing and Urban Development got N5.7 billion; Capital City Development Authority, got N2,464,667,700 and Tourism was allocated N1,789,000,000.

  • Dickson proposes N320.6bn 2015 budget

    Dickson proposes N320.6bn 2015 budget

    The Governor of Bayelsa State, Mr. Seriake Dickson, has presented a proposed 2015 budget of N320.6 billion to the state’s House of Assembly.

    Presenting the budget tagged: “Budget of Completion,” on Monday, Dickson said the estimate comprised N175.8 billion (54 per cent) recurrent expenditure and N144.9 billion (45.2 per cent) capital expenditure.

    He said the budget is expected to be financed from a revenue projection of N231.3 billion and capital receipts of N89.3 billion.

    Explaining the sectoral breakdown of the budget, Dickson said N65.9 billion was set aside for the Works and Infrastructure sub sector, while N21 billion was earmarked for Education.

    The governor assured that most of the ongoing projects in the health sector would be completed, especially the five new referral hospitals under construction.

    He said N7.1 billion was allocated to the health sub-sector to help in completing the Okilo memorial hospital and carry out rehabilitation work on over 30 health centres across the state

    On agriculture and natural resources, the governor proposed N4.2 billion.

    He also said the government would commence work on the new water reticulation network in the Yenagoa metropolis next year, which would be extended to the rural communities.

    He directed the state-owned electricity company and the Ministry of Power to liaise with the Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PEDC) to ensure improved power supply in the state.

    Dickson allocated the sum of N7.6 billion to the public utilities sub sector.

    He expressed government’s commitment to the completion of the two sports academies at Asoama in Kolokuma/Opokuma local government area and Angalabiri in Sagbama local government area.

    He, therefore, earmarked N4.2 billion to the sports sub sector.

     

  • Rumpus in Bayelsa APC as members plan mass defection

    Rumpus in Bayelsa APC as members plan mass defection

    The Bayelsa State chapter of the All Progressive Congress (APC) has been thrown into confusion following plan by many of its members to defect en masse to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    It was gathered that major stakeholders of the party including some members of the APC’s state working committee were holding meetings with the leadership of the state PDP to perfect the arrangement.

    The defection, it was learnt, will take place in a rally to be attended by President Goodluck Jonathan in Yenagoa, the state capital.

    It was gathered that the governor of the state, Mr. Seriake Dickson, who was elated at the development, directed the leadership of the state PDP to liaise with all the stakeholders and select a suitable date for the event.

    Already, PDP was said to have received a one-time National Youth Leader of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and former Interim Ex-officio member of the APC, Mr. Miriki Ebikibina.

    Ebikibina, who is an aide to Governor Dickson on Inter-Party Affairs, was received along with other aggrieved zonal members of APC during the PDP’s rally in Benin, Edo State.

    It was further gathered that the former state chairman of the Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP), Mr. Sunday Frank-Oputu, who is a known loyalist of former Governor Timipre Sylva, was among the APC chiefs ready for defection.

    But Oputu and other APC members in the state were said to have preferred making their declarations for PDP at the Yenagoa rally.

    The aggrieved APC members were said to be angry at the comatose nature of the party in the state and the alleged highhandedness of the party’s state chairman, Mr. Tiwe Oruminighe.

    When contacted, Frank-Oputu said Oruminighe and Sylva killed APC in the state, adding that members of the party in their thousands were ready for the defection.

    But the leadership of the APC disowned Miriki, Frank-Oputu and others planning to join the PDP, describing them as liabilities to APC.

    The state chairman of the party, Mr. Marlin Daniel, said they were planted as moles but became frustrated when APC failed to give them a chance.

    “If you look at the activities and antecedents of these people, you will know that what they do is to trade with opposition for monetary reasons. They cannot cope because APC has come to make a difference.

    “We decided to quarantine them because we have known them for a long time and their motives. We will celebrate their exit because we know that even PDP will not accept them.

    “Frank is fond of selling parties to any government. PDP wanted him to be the chairman of our party so that he can sell the party to them later, he contested but he lost. APC is credible and strong in Bayelsa. We are not shaking,” he said.

  • Why PDP endorsed Jonathan for 2015 – Dickson

    Why PDP endorsed Jonathan for 2015 – Dickson

    The Governor of Bayelsa State, Mr. Seriake Dickson, has explained the reasons why the Peoples Democratic Party unanimously endorsed President Goodluck Jonathan as its candidate for the 2015 general election.

    He said the action of the party was to institutionalize the right of first refusal for any incumbent President.

    The governor said the PDP by the move has set a new precedent that will give any incumbent President the right to fly the party’s flag without undergoing an elective primary.

    Dickson said the new thinking would also reduce the huge cost and internal wraggling associated with a primary election.

    He spoke on Tuesday night during an interactive session with the members of the Federated Correspondent Chapel of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ).

    Dickson expressed optimism that the right of first refusal given to President Jonathan would promote stability in the political system and unity among the party members.

    He insisted that the party’s gesture was being misconstrued in some quarters to mean a declaration of sole candidacy.

    The governor said, “It is not a declaration of sole candidacy. What we have done is to stabilise the political system.

    “What we have done is to say that we don’t want to subject our members to the costly and stressful experiences. What we have said is that once you are a President from a political party, you have a right of first refusal. It will reduce in-fighting and cost of lobbying and campaigns.

    “Whoever comes after Jonathan, will no longer have issues with intra-party conflicts But he will have right of first refusal. In the first term of an administration, there is much in-fighting.

    “If the right of first refusal had been institutionalized in the past, former President Olusegun Obasanjo wouldn’t have been subjected to such issues that came up before his re-election.”

    Dickson maintained that democracy should not be about conflicts and unnecessary intrigues but about the stability of institutions.

    “If President Goodluck Jonathan refuses, then the elective convention will be conducted. This decision is provided for by the electoral law,” he stated.

     

  • PDP denies Jonathan, Dickson’s feud

    The Bayelsa State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said on Wednesday that there was no cold war between the Governor of the state, Mr. Seriake Dickson and President Goodluck Jonathan.

    The state Secretary of the Party, Mr. Godspower Keku, said members of the party were united and solidly behind the aspirations of President Jonathan and Dickson.

    There have been speculations of frosty relationship between Dickson and the President.

    Members of the party were also said to be divided between the two blocs of Abuja-based politicians led by Dame Patience, the wife of President Jonathan and a home-based camp led by Dickson.

    But Keku said: “As officials of PDP at the state level, we have never had any problem. There is unity of purpose in the party. PDP has grown to an extent beyond what you think because this is Mr. President’s state.

    “There is unity between the Governor and Mr. President. There is unity between the Governor and the people of the state.

    “All the projects are all around that is why the party is growing. There is no problem within the party. There is no problem and there shall never be any problem.”

    Keku denied the existence of Abuja-based politicians, insisting that party members were working together to move the state forward.

  • Youths rally support for Dickson

    Youths rally support for Dickson

    The Bayelsa Youth Leaders’ Forum (BYLF) has endorsed Governor Seriake Dickson for a second term.

    Speaking with reporters in Yenagoa, the group said Dickson deserved a second term based on his performance, including the construction of the Yenagoa flyover, airport project, the building of roads and award of scholarships to students.

    The forum’s Chairman, Mr. Oborku Oforji, and Secretary Okosikeme Ayibakuro said the group was formed to canvass for Dickson’s re-election.

    Oforji said: “We are moving into local government areas and wards to drum up support for the governor. He needs to come back to ensure more development.”

    He debunked rumours that the group was being funded by an aide of the governor, saying the Dickson administration has impacted positively on the people.