…As ex-governor recalls Supreme Court battle that secured Diri’s victory,
…Rallies support for NDC, Obi
Former Bayelsa State Governor and Senator representing Bayelsa West, Henry Seriake Dickson, has accused Governor Douye Diri of handing the state to the All Progressives Congress (APC), despite the efforts and sacrifices of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to secure the governorship mandate through the Supreme Court.
Dickson, who spoke at the weekend in Yenagoa during a reception organised by the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in Bayelsa State, described Diri’s defection to the APC as a betrayal of the political struggle that brought him to power.
He recalled that the PDP had to fight a protracted legal battle to reclaim its victory after the 2020 governorship election, alleging that the APC had attempted to take over the state through what he described as fabricated election results.
According to him, the Supreme Court eventually affirmed the PDP’s victory, paving the way for Diri’s inauguration as governor.
Dickson said he personally played a major role in Diri’s emergence, explaining that he had appointed him to several positions, including Principal Executive Secretary and Deputy Chief of Staff, before facilitating his election into the House of Representatives and eventually supporting his governorship ambition.
He said his decision to support Diri was also informed by the need to promote fairness and political equity among the state’s senatorial districts.
“One of the most important reasons I fought that fight was because of fairness within us. I wanted someone who would know you people and take care of you, someone who would defend and protect our political agenda,” he said.
The former governor, however, lamented that the victory he and other PDP leaders worked hard to secure had been handed over to the APC.
“The APC that I defeated three times back to back, they dashed our hard-won victory free of charge to the APC. Are you happy with that?” he asked.
Dickson urged Bayelsans to prepare for the forthcoming elections, declaring that the NDC would mobilise across communities to challenge the ruling party.
He maintained that Bayelsa did not belong to the APC, insisting that the massive turnout at the reception demonstrated the state’s political diversity.
Recalling the 2015 and 2019 governorship elections, Dickson said his political camp had resisted attempts by the APC to take over the state despite the alleged deployment of federal might, security personnel and other forms of intimidation.
He also accused the APC-led Federal Government of failing to deliver meaningful development to Bayelsa and the wider Niger Delta, particularly in the areas of infrastructure, maritime development and resource distribution.
Dickson specifically questioned the state of major seaports in the Niger Delta, including Port Harcourt, Warri, Sapele and Calabar, arguing that the oil-producing region had not benefited adequately from its contribution to the nation’s economy.
He said he would hold the NDC presidential candidate, Peter Obi, accountable if elected, particularly on issues concerning the equitable distribution of the nation’s resources and the development of the Niger Delta.
The senator urged party members to support Obi and all NDC candidates in the forthcoming elections, including those contesting for the National Assembly and Bayelsa State House of Assembly seats.
He also alleged that more than 200 persons had been removed from government positions in Bayelsa for identifying with the NDC and maintaining their political loyalty to him.
Dickson called on party members not to be intimidated by security deployments during elections, urging them to remain peaceful while exercising their constitutional right to vote.
“We don’t do politics with violence. No weapon, no bullet. Overwhelm them with the sheer force in your community. Vote, and follow up,” he said.
He also urged the party faithful to intensify grassroots mobilisation, promising to join the campaign across communities and wards.
The NDC leader further expressed solidarity with the party’s three serving members of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly and its only female local government chairman, whom he said was facing political intimidation.
He also paid tribute to the late former Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Lawrence Ehwutudjakpo, describing him as a loyal political associate and servant of the state.
Dickson said Ewhrujadkpo’s death was painful, adding that the late politician had endured pressure and ill-treatment before his death.
He led party members in observing a minute of silence in his honour.
