Former Bayelsa State Governor and serving Senator, representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District at the Nigerian Senate, on the 3rd of January, 2022 fulfilled his promise to his successor, Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State, that he will retaliate the governor’s earlier ambush at his country home in Toru-Orua on Christmas Eve.
He fulfilled this promise on the 3rd of January accompanied by his Traditional Ruler, top members of the Bayelsa West PDP Elders Caucus and other political associates, business associates and friends. He met a grand reception at Sampour where the indigenes had come to out in full to pay homage and show gratitude to the “Political Engineer” who worked against all odds to put their son in office.
Speaking earlier while being received by Governor Diri and members of his cabinet, House of Assembly Members and members of various Caucuses of the PDP in the State at the Governor’s country home in Sampour, Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, Senator Dickson said ” I and my entourage have come to celebrate with our dear governor, adding “When dogs play, you will observe that each one of them will fall for each other for the relationship to be cordial.”
Senator Dickson said he served Bayelsa State for 8 years and by the grace of God, it came to pass that their own son, Douye Diri succeeded him. Dickson said, it was expedient to give glory to God because Power belongs to Him alone.
He noted that when the opposition party in the state succeeded first in the election, their plan was to “fight us”. He said; as the Governor is on the seat, he was so happy and that every Ijaw man ought to be happy. Senator Dickson said the Bayelsa State People’s Democratic Party should be happy, and that if not because of God that made it possible for the party to succeed, what would have happened to them?
Senator Dickson, urged Governor Diri to tell his people that, ”even if he was not coming as often as expected, the governor should understand that he prayed fervently before he made him his choice and that Diri should tell his people that they should understand that, he knows fully well that Governor Diri will do well.
First of all, while making his remarks, Governor Douye Diri requested that, a minute’s silence be observed in honour of their father and leader, Ambassador
Lawrence Ekpebor who died on the 2nd of January, 2022.
Speaking further, Governor Diri said, the Ofurumapepe, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, his friend, brother, leader, mentor and father has come to see his son. He said that the elders and traditional rulers, Amayanaweis of Toru-Orua, Ebedebiri, Ayamasa honoured him with their presence in Sampour.
While recalling his earlier ambush of former Governor Dickson in his country home in Toru-Orua on the 31st of December, Diri reminisced over how Senator Dickson whispered in his ears that he was going to retaliate.
Governor Douye Diri, went down memory lane on his political journey with his predecessor, Senator Seriake Dickson, describing the latter as a political strategist. The governor recalled how both of them began their political journey serving in past civilian administrations in the state except one.
He stated that their long-standing relationship was of a mutual brotherly bond.Diri emphasised that his predecessor had always been instrumental in his political successes and recalled that his first elected position as member of the National Assembly was achieved under the leadership of Dickson. He also narrated how his smooth transition from the House of Reps to the Senate and now governor of the state became possible because Dickson believed in his capacity to consolidate on the legacies laid for the state.
“Dickson and I have known each other long before the creation of Bayelsa State (in 1996). We had been involved in the Ijaw struggle in Port Harcourt (Rivers State) and later served in other administrations in the state. “Like he (Dickson) rightly mentioned, it is only in one administration both of us did not serve in this state. And we never knew he would become governor but because that was his destiny, it came to pass“. The kind of relationship we share is cherished by both of us. I recall when we were looking for who to contest the House of Reps seat for our party. While I was busy looking for the right person outside, he was in his office doing same thing.
Finally, he decided and told me that those around him have pointed to my direction to represent Yenagoa/ Kolokuma/ Opokuma Federal Constituency. That was how I started the journey to the National Assembly. ”Initially, our intention was for me to go to the Senate. But being the political strategist that he is, he told me that the powers that be then would be an obstacle. So the House of Reps was the best option at that time. “I decided to go down this memory lane because a lot of things are happening just to underscore the relationship that I have enjoyed with my brother, friend, compatriot and leader till now that I’m governor”.
While expressing gratitude on behalf of his Prosperity Administration to Senator Dickson, the governor called on those in his government and his party (Peoples Democratic Party) to continue to give glory to God for still maintaining and controlling political power in the state. The state helmsman also advised his supporters and political associates to ensure that their structure remains intact ahead of the next elections.
Speaking earlier, Senator Dickson said as part of the yuletide festivities, he came to pay homage and solidarity to the number one citizen of the state as a mark of respect as well as reciprocate the earlier gesture of the governor when he visited him at his country home in Toru-Orua community.He asserted that Diri is his friend, brother, colleague and ally whose relationship is treasured beyond party affiliation.While calling on people of the state to support the present administration, Dickson stressed that those in government must work with unity of purpose.
Senator Dickson rounded up his visit with a few words of advice to his successor stating; “With confidence already reposed in you by the people, there is no need for me to interfere in issues of governance because, I know you understand everything about governance since you have served various Governments in the state” ; “This New Year, we are with you again. When things are not ok with you, make it known to the people and when things are pretty okay with you, still make it clear to the people” , finally “We have always had a free flow of communication, if there are any issues you want to discuss with me, you can always bring them up for us to brainstorm”.
The Countryman Senator rounded up with a prayer asking God to continue to grant Governor Douye more knowledge, wisdom, understanding and power to govern Bayelsans and profer solutions to their problems.
The visit which turned out to be a huge carnival with cultural displays from various communities across the state had in attendance the Speaker of the Bayelsa House of Assembly, Abraham Ingobere, legislators, Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Konbowei Benson, members of the state executive council, top government functionaries, traditional rulers as well as party stalwarts and political associates.
