Diri has betrayed Bayelsa to APC, says Dickson; ‘We won’t respond’ — Gov’s aide
Former Bayelsa Governor Accuses Successor of Betrayal
By Samuel Oyadongha, Yenagoa
Former Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson has publicly criticized his successor, Governor Douye Diri, for aligning with the All Progressives Congress (APC), which he claims has never won the state through elections. In a statement released over the weekend during his return to Bayelsa for the commissioning of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) state secretariat, Dickson characterized the governor’s decision as akin to “donating” the state to the APC.
Dickson, now the National Leader of the NDC, stated that he had previously refrained from commenting on the political developments in Bayelsa to maintain peace and avoid escalating tensions. However, he felt compelled to clarify his stance, asserting that Diri has abandoned the political structure that led to his ascension as governor.
“Every single one of the people in the current government was nurtured and supported for years by me,” Dickson remarked, recalling Diri’s previous roles as Executive Secretary, Deputy Chief of Staff, and member of the National Assembly before becoming governor.
The former governor expressed disappointment that Diri aligned with the APC without obtaining tangible benefits for Bayelsa from the federal government. He alleged that the current administration engages in pettiness and victimization, suggesting that the APC has not legitimately won control of the state, claiming his influence has kept the party at bay since 2015.
Dickson called on his supporters to maintain peace and avoid personal attacks on Diri, despite their political disagreements, stating, “The governor is still my person, my brother, my compatriot and our governor. But he is now someone I disagree with.”
In response to Dickson’s comments, an aide to Governor Diri, who spoke on condition of anonymity, stated that the governor would not engage in a public dispute, focusing instead on serving the people of Bayelsa. “Let Bayelsans be the judge. That’s all we care about,” the aide said.
Miriki Ebikibina, a technical adviser to the governor, described Dickson’s statements as unfortunate and urged the former governor to uphold the dignity expected from a former chief executive and current senator. He questioned the appropriateness of Dickson’s remarks given the opportunities afforded to him by former President Goodluck Jonathan and the support he received from various stakeholders in his political career.
Ebikibina encouraged Dickson and the NDC to adopt a more constructive approach to political discourse, emulating party presidential candidate Peter Obi, who emphasizes issue-based campaigning.
In a related development, Peter Obi urged President Bola Tinubu to reconsider his re-election bid in 2027 during the commissioning of the NDC campaign office in Yenagoa. He criticized the current federal government for failing to address pressing issues such as poverty, unemployment, and insecurity, characterizing the leadership as lacking the necessary energy to tackle the nation’s challenges.
Obi outlined the NDC’s vision for a more united and productive Nigeria, focusing on national unity, job creation, and accountability. He reiterated that an NDC-led government would prioritize addressing the pressing challenges facing the country and improving the living standards of Nigerians.
