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  • Assets declaration: Ex-Bayelsa Gov, Senator Dickson wins big against EFCC in court

    Assets declaration: Ex-Bayelsa Gov, Senator Dickson wins big against EFCC in court

    The Federal High Court sitting in Yenagoa has entered a judgment order in favour of former Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Seriake Dickson, on a case over the assets he declared between 2007 and 2020.

    Senator Dickson, when he was in the House of Representatives about 15 years ago, had obtained loans from commercial banks for investments through his family investment vehicle known as the Seriake Dickson Trust Incorporated.

    While the mortgage of some of the loans is said to be running, the investments, loans and liabilities were declared with the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) before he became governor and ever since.

    Justice Isah Dashien ruled in suit no: FHC/CS/81/2021, filed by the Registered Trustees of the Seriake Dickson Incorporated and Senator Seriake Dickson (the first and second plaintiffs) against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC (the defendant/respondent).

    He held that the assets acquired with loans when the former governor was a member of the House of Representatives should not be investigated any further, having been declared before the CCB which issued a certificate of verification for them.

    The court affirmed an earlier verdict of the Federal High Court which stated that Senator Dickson had complied with all the constitutional requirements of the CCB in asset declaration.

    It ruled that by virtue of the judgment and orders of the Federal High Court last year in suit number FHC/YNG//CS/40/2020, the EFCC lacked the powers to open a further investigation into investments made by the Registered Trustees of the Seriake Dickson Trust Incorporated.

    The court, therefore, granted the order affirming the earlier judgment of the Federal High Court that the ‘invitation and interrogation of the second plaintiff by the second defendant (the EFCC), and the bid to arrest, interrogate and/or detain officers and trustees of the first plaintiff (the Registered Trustees of the Seriake Dickson Trust Incorporated) by the EFCC over matter which deal with or relate to investments made by the first plaintiff is illegal, unconstitutional, and a disregard of the valid and subsisting orders of a competent court.”

    Justice Dashien also granted the application of the plaintiffs, for “an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendant, its officers, men, agents or privies from inviting the second plaintiff, officers and managers or Trustees of the first plaintiff over any matter dealing with or relating to any investment made by the first plaintiff, as covered or affected by the said judgment of the Federal High Court in suit no FHC/YNF/CS/40/2020.”

    He stressed that the EFCC cannot lawfully arrest, investigate and/or prosecute the former governor who declared the assets in question and for which the verifying authorities – the CCB – issued certificates of verification before he became governor.

    The previous court had held that it was contrary to the stipulation of the Law for the EFCC to open an investigation into assets that were declared over the years before the relevant body – the CCB, and for which it issued verification certificates.

    It noted that in addition to the declaration of assets, the former governor while in office subjected himself to the Voluntary Assets and Income Declaration Scheme of the Federal Government (VADES) and paid taxes on the affected assets, therefore the attorney-general and other Federal Government agencies were perpetually restrained.

    Reacting to the latest judgement, Senator Dickson thanked the judiciary for their intervention and urged Nigerians to support an independent judiciary and public institutions, including the EFCC.

    He also urged operators of the institutions to be dispassionate and fair in carrying out their sensitive responsibilities, stressing that the agencies were doing a very important job and should be supported.

    The former governor asked those in authority to allow all institutions to do their job without undue pressure and asked Nigerians to work towards strengthening them.

  • Ex-Bayelsa Gov, Dickson reacts to defection tsunami in PDP, says more to come

    Ex-Bayelsa Gov, Dickson reacts to defection tsunami in PDP, says more to come

    The immediate past Governor of Bayelsa State, Seriake Dickson, has taken a swipe at politicians who usually decamp to other parties, describing the situation as an ugly Nigerian politician culture.

    Dickson, who currently represents Bayelsa-West in the National Assembly, stated this on Wednesday on a monitored Channels Television programme.

    According to the police officer turned politician, Nigeria has not reached its peak with respect to the decamping season.

    With the 2023 general elections about 17 months away, the lawmaker predicted that more politicians would cross-carpet from one side of the political divide to another.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that prominent members of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party have switched camp to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) recently with Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi, leading the league of PDP governors to the ruling party.

    Shortly after, Governors Ben Ayade (Cross River) and his Zamfara State counterpart, Matawalle Bello followed suit, despite being elected under the PDP platform in the 2019 general elections.

    On Wednesday (yesterday), a member of the PDP Board of Trustees, Senator Joy Emordi also dumped the opposition party to join the APC train.

    But Dickson isn’t surprised with the defections, explaining that more defections will still take place in the build-up to the next general polls.

    “Between now and the peak of the decamping season which will be next year, you will be shocked how many people will move either this way or that way,” he said.

    “Don’t be surprised to see a lot of chicken coming home to roost, don’t be surprised to see some other birds of passage flocking around. That is what we have come to know.

    “Is it the right thing to do? No. Is that the way to deepen our democracy, no? Does that speak well of our democratic structure, no? Unfortunately, that is the ugly reality we have to deal with.”

  • Dickson’s statement on PIB will plunge Niger Delta region into crisis – Bayelsa APC senator

    Dickson’s statement on PIB will plunge Niger Delta region into crisis – Bayelsa APC senator

    Lawmaker representing Bayelsa East Senatorial District on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo has urged Niger Delta senators not to instigate violence in the region by making malicious and unfounded statements over the recently passed Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB).

    The lawmaker made the call at a news conference on Friday in Abuja while reacting to a recent statement credited to Sen. Seriake Dickson.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that Dickson, a former governor of Bayelsa, was alleged to have recently accused the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Mr Timipre Sylva, of reducing the host communities’ development funds in the PIB to three per cent.

    Degi-Eremienyo said such statement by the former governor was capable of instigating violence and could lead to civil unrest in the Niger Delta region.

    He said Dickson`s statement was highly regrettable, considering efforts put in by the minister in actualising the long awaited PIB.

    “The true story was that the PIB as an executive bill was represented to the National Assembly, proposing 2.5 per cent of the total operational cost as host communities’ development trust funds.

    “The lead debate was hot and protracted in both chambers. Lawmakers from the Niger Delta region including myself spoke.

    “We argued for upward increase commensurate to our contributions and sacrifices; during the public hearing at various centres, host communities canvassed same position, “ Degi-Eremienyo said.

    He explained that after rigorous and painstaking processes from plenary to conference committee, the national assembly put the host community funds at three per cent.

    This, he said, was the national assembly’s decision not that of Sylva, wondering why he should be dragged into the issue.

    He noted that while other governors from the region rallied round their people and lobbied lawmakers from other regions to support increase in the host community development fund, Dickson did nothing while he was governor.

    According to him, Dickson was content with spending 13 per cent derivation on developing his own villages, not host communities, leaving the oil and gas producing host communities to suffer their fate.

    “It`s ridiculous to see him fighting pretentiously for host communities because he lacks moral grounds to criticise and attack Sylva,” Degi-Eremienyo said.

    TNG reports that the PIB sought to provide legal, governance, regulatory and fiscal framework for the Nigerian petroleum industry and development of host communities.

    The key objective was ensuring good governance and accountability, creation of a commercially-oriented national petroleum company and fostering a conducive business environment for petroleum operations in the country.

  • Bayelsa: Why I distance myself from Diri’s government – Ex-Gov Dickson

    Bayelsa: Why I distance myself from Diri’s government – Ex-Gov Dickson

    Former Governor of Bayelsa, Sen. Seriake Dickson says he has no rift with Gov. Douye Diri, who took over from him on Feb. 14, 2020.

    Dickson said his noticeable absence from government functions was deliberate and in consonance with his values and principles of non interference.

    In a statement issued on Thursday, Dickson, who is now a senator representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District of the state, said he remained supportive of Diri’s administration.

    He said he had no hand in the media attacks against Diri’s administration by some of his former aides.

    Dickson’s explanation came on the heels of claims by Dr John Idumange, a former General Manager of Bayelsa Broadcasting Corporation, alleging diversion of N3 billion agricultural loan obtained by Dickson’s administration.

    Idumange, who was an aide on Research and Documentation to Dickson, who was governor from 2012 to 2020, claimed the present administration was diminishing the efforts of Dickson’s government.

    He claimed that he had so far, recorded 17 cases of diversion of the N3 billion loan obtained from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

    Idumange also claimed that he would report the alleged fraud to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) when the count reached 25.

    Dickson, who washed his hands off the allegations, urged his supporters to close ranks and work for the success of Diri’s administration.

    “I want to advise that no one who is supportive of me, a member of our party or who claims to be, should be publicly critical of our government. This is unacceptable.

    “I am aware that some of our party stalwarts and members that I led in these unprecedented battles and victories, have one complain of non-inclusion or the other which is normal.

    “The governor and the party are available to address these issues and as such, do not call for a public attack on our government because an attack on the governor and his government is an attack on our party and I do not approve of such.

    ”My role and my duty as former governor and the first governor to have done eight years, who midwifed the process of reelection, is to advise, support and pray for the success of this administration.

    “My take is that every person in the current administration at all levels, beginning with the governor is part of our team,” he said.

    The senator however, urged the governor, members of his team and the party leadership to take steps to unify and create an atmosphere of inclusiveness and togetherness.

    Dickson maintained that as a political family, the governor remained the leader of the party.

    “The governor is head of both the party and the government and he has my support and I urge all stakeholders to stop the divisive politics and give him their support,” he said.

    He said where the present governor deemed fit, he could consult stakeholders for their inputs and advice.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that Diri was sworn in on Feb. 14, 2020 following a Supreme Court Judgment of Feb. 13 which sacked the erstwhile governor-elect, Chief David Lyon.

  • JUST IN: Lawan swears-in Abiru, Dickson, two other Senators

    JUST IN: Lawan swears-in Abiru, Dickson, two other Senators

    Senate President Ahmad Lawan on Tuesday swore-in four senators recently elected through bye-elections in states across the country.

    The new Senators include Senator Adetokunbo Abiru (Lagos East), Senator Henry Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa West), Senator Cleopas Moses (Bayelsa Central) and Senator Nora Ladi Dadu’ut (Plateau South.

    The oath of office and allegiance were administered Thursday on Senator Olujimi by the Clerk of the Senate, Ibrahim El- Ladan during plenary.

    The President of the Senate, Senator Ahmad Lawan, however, refused to swear in the Senator-elect for Cross River North Senatorial District, Stephen Odey.

    ALSO READ: Northern elders flay disruption of peace summit, attack on participants in Kaduna
    Odey had arrived the National Assembly complex as early as 8am with supporters from Cross River State in anticipation for the swearing-in.

    Odey who was the Senior Legislative Aide, SLA to Governor Ben Ayade as a Senator in the 7th Senator, was however disappointed when his name was not mentioned as one of those to take the oath of office.

    With the swearing-in, the number of All Progressives Congress, APC, Senators now stand at 63 while PDP now has 45 Senators.

    While Senator Seriake replaced Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo; Senator Cleopas is replacing Senator Diri Douye; Senator Abiru replacing late Adebayo Osinowo and Dadu’t is replacing late Ignatius Longjan.

  • By-elections highlights: Abiru, Dickson, Dabu’ut win senatorial seats

    By-elections highlights: Abiru, Dickson, Dabu’ut win senatorial seats

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Sunday won senatorial by-elections in Lagos East, Imo North and Plateau South districts.

    According to observers, the by-elections, which were the first critical assignments by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman Prof. Mohammed Yakubu, who was cleared by the Senate for his second term last week, were generally peaceful.

    The APC candidate in the Lagos East, Tokunbo Abiru, defeated his PDP rival, Babatunde Gbadamosi. Abiru, who polled 89,204 votes, defeated Gbadamosi, who got 11,257 votes.

    Lagos

    Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu congratulated Abiru and Kosofe Constituency II candidate Obafemi Saheed for their victories.

    Saheed polled 12,494 votes to beat his rival, Sikiru Alebiosu of PDP, who got 2,068.

    Sanwo-Olu, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Gboyega Akosile, said APC’s victory with wide margin reflected the confidence of Lagosians in the rulling party

    The governor commended the electorate for trooping out to perform their civic responsibilities. He also lauded chieftains of the party and members for working assiduously for victory.

    Sanwo-Olu said: “I want to congratulate Mr. Tokunbo Abiru and Obafemi Saheed on their victories in last Saturday’s by-elections in Lagos East Senatorial District and Kosofe State Constituency II polls. Your emergence as federal and state lawmakers is a validation of peoples’ confidence in our dear party, the APC.”

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, congratulated the APC for its victory.

    In a statement by his spokesman, Lanre Lasisi, the Speaker congratulated Sanwo-Olu for leading the party to victory.

    Gbajabiamila urged the APC candidates to be magnanimous in victory.

    Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker Mudashiru Obasa said the victory showed that APC is a strong, formidable and unified platform in Lagos State.

    “The people of Lagos State appreciate us as a party and this is evident in the landslide victory of the two candidates in the election,” Obasa said.

    He urged Abiru and Saheed to see their victory as opportunities to bring government closer to their people and play strong roles in the advancement of Lagos State.

    Lagos APC said the defeat of the PDP confirmed that the opposition party had been rejected by Lagosians.

    APC chided the PDP chairman, Deji Doherty, for accusing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of allocating votes to the ruling party.

    Lagos APC Publicity Secretary Seye Oladejo said in a statement that the allegation of vote allocation to APC was ridiculous, stressing that the elections were free and fair.

    He also rejected the allegation of vote buying and other forms of fraud.

    Oladejo said: “The reaction of the Lagos State chairman of PDP to the humiliating defeat of his party to the recently held Lagos East Senatorial and Kosofe 2 Lagos State House of Assembly elections can best be described as a comic relief from the recent pressure and challenges.

    “It was a referendum on the spineless and ineffectual opposition that the PDP has been providing in Lagos State for over two decades.

    “The age-long disharmony and lack of coordination in the PDP effectively laid the foundation for the permanent trouncing of the opposition party in Lagos state.

    “The impressive performance of the ruling party, APC, in the determined implementation of its progressive policies has made PDP a taboo in Lagos state.”

    He added:” It’s a big surprise that the state chairman could complain about the results of the elections that he was too busy to campaign for his candidates.

    “While they were busy conducting fake personal opinion polls, the ruling APC was reaching out to the voters with life changing programs, manifestos and policies that are relevant to the challenges of the day.

    “However, we emphatize with Engr Doherty who must still be dazed by the total annihilation.

    The bye-election will go down in history as one of the best in terms of conduct by INEC, the professionalism of the security agents and the fact that the results truly reflected the popular will.”

    Zamfara

    The PDP asked the Returning Officer for the Bakura Constituency in Zamfara State, Prof. Ibrahim Magatawa, to step aside.

    In a statement by its spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan, the party accused Prof Magatawa of plots to rig the poll in favour of the APC.

    The electoral commission had declared the election inconclusive, following its cancellation in some areas. INEC had fixed next Saturday to conclude the election.

    Ologbondiyan said: “The PDP demands the immediate removal of Prof. Magatawa as his embarrassing pronouncement has betrayed a plot to use the planned re-run in 14 polling units where election was cancelled under unclear circumstances, to rob our party of our victory in the Bakura State Constituency by-election.

    “Our party and Nigerians were shocked when, in declaring the election inconclusive, given that the total number of registered voters in the 14 polling units is 11,439 higher than the 2,181 difference between the 18,645 votes scored by the PDP and 16,464 votes garnered by the APC, Prof. Magatawa openly suggested that the rerun will give the APC upper hand over the PDP”.

    The PDP quoted Prof. Magatawa as saying: “If the APC is to, may gain advantage if there is another election in these units where election is cancelled, that they may get upper hand over the PDP and as a result, we have declared this result inconclusive”.

    The party said Magatawa’s statement exposed the partisanship of the INEC official, triggering a dangerous crisis of confidence and pointing to a creepy plot to use the rerun to allocate fictitious votes to APC, “the very reason, Prof. Magatawa must not be allowed in anyway to participate in the anticipated rerun”.

    “The PDP therefore. demands that the Chairman of INEC, Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, directly take over the conduct of processes in the Bakura State Constituency bye-election, where our party is in clear victory, as the people will never allow any final outcome that does not reflect the electoral reality already on the ground”

    Bauchi

    Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed enjoined PDP members to accept defeat at the Assembly by-election with dignity and sportsmanship.

    The governor who described the defeat as the will of God, urged party faithful not to be divided by the temporary setback.

    The governor in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media , Muktar Gidado and made available to reporters Sunday said the loss was a lesson, adding that ‘his government and the PDP need to plan to regain their lost ground with chivalry, tactics and team work.’

    He added: “We lost 21 House of Assembly seats and 3 Senate seats in 2019 but Allah gave us victory in the gubernatorial election. Let us not play to the gallery by indulging in blame game, internal rancor, accusations and mistrust.”

    Imo North

    There was drama at the INEC office of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Owerri, the state capital, when the Returning Officer, Hakeem Adikum, declared the APC winner of Imo North.

    The Returning Officer said APC scored 36, 811 votes, while Emmanuel Okewulonu of the PDP scored 31, 903 votes.

    According to Adikum, APC won in five out of the six local government areas in the senatorial district while PDP won in one LGA.

    While PDP won in Obowo LGA where its candidate hails from.

    APC won in Okigwe, Onuimo, Isiala Mbano, Ehime Mbano and Ihitte/ Uboma LGAs.

    INEC’s failure to return any candidate as the winner caused disquiet in the hall, as the supporters of Ifeanyi Araraume and Frank Ibezim, laid claims to the APC ticket.

    The INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in Imo state, Prof Francis Ezeonu, told reporters that the commission was unable to return the APC candidate as the winner because of what he called court orders for and against Araraume and Ibezim of the APC.

    Also, Abuja Federal High Court had on Friday barred Ibezim from contesting the election.

    A Court of Appeal in Owerri sacked Araraume as the candidate and declared Ibezim as the authentic candidate of the party.

    Justice Uchechukwu Onyemenem who delivered the judgment, ordered INEC to immediately enlist Ibezim’s name as the candidate.

    Plateau South

    APC candidate in Plateau South Prof. Nora Dabu’ut, was declared winner.

    According to the results announced by INEC, Prof. Idris A female, the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Federal University, Lafia, Nassarawa State, said, Dabu’ut polled of 83,151 votes while George Daika, PDP rival, got 70,838 votes.

    Mrs Dabu’ut defeated her opponent in four out of the six local government areas in the senatorial district. while the PDP candidate, Daika, won in two local Government Areas.

    Plateau State Governor Simon Bako Lalong congratulated Dabu’ut for making history as the first female Senator-elect in the State.

    Dabu’ut will succeed the late Senator Ignatius Longjan.

    Lalong said the victory of Prof. Nora Dabu’ut was not surprising as the APC is well rooted in the whole state particularly the Southern Senatorial District.

    Also, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ahmed Idris Wase, felicitated with Dabu’ut,

    In a congratulatory massage by his Chief Press Secretary, Umar Muhammed Puma, Wase described the victory as a confirmation that the people of southern senatorial district have confidence in the ruling APC.

    He also lauded the electoral commission and security agencies for doing their best within the ambit of the law to ensure free, fair and credible elections.

    Cross River

    INEC declared Dr. Stephen Odey of the PDP winner.of the Cross River North by-election

    Odey and Jerigbe Agom Jerigbe also of the PDP were in court.

    They both obtained court orders asking INEC to accept their candidature.

    Also, INEC declared the PDP candidates winner in Obudu State Constituency by-election.

    The Collation Officer Prof. Ameh Akoh of Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ikwo, Ebonyi State, who announced the result said, the PDP candidate, Dr Stephen Odey, scored 129,207 votes to defeat other Eight contestants.

    According to him, the APC candidate, Joe Agi (SAN) scored 19,165 votes to place second while African Democratic Congress, standard bearer Mr Gregory Agam came third with 388 votes among others.

    Katsina

    The APC candidate Dr. Ibrahim Aminu Kurami declared the winner of the Bakori State Constituency by-election.

    Kurami defeated Alhaji Aminu Magaji of the PDP.

    The Returning Officer of Bakori local Government State Constituency by-election, Professor A. D. Kankia, declared that Kurani scored 20,444 votes,

    He will replace Alhaji Abdurrazaq Tsiga, who died in May after a protracted illness.

    He was the House Deputy leader and Chairman, House Committee on Business, Ethics and Privileges, before his death.

    Enugu

    INEC declared Mrs Amaka Ugwueze, the PDP candidate of the , winner of Isi-Uzo State Constituency election.

    Declaring the results at Isi-Uzo council headquarters in Ikem, INEC Collation Officer for the By-Election, Mr Chukwuemeka Nwachukwu, said that Ugwueze polled 11,041 votes to defeat her close rival, Mr Ejiofor Okwor, candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC), who polled 2,293 votes.

    Nwachukwu said other seven political parties that contested in the by-election scored less than 70 votes each.

    He noted that the by-election had 13,597 total valid votes and 391 rejected votes, while a total of 13,988 votes were cast.

    Dr Emeka Ononamadu, INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Enugu State, thanked the electorates and the people for conducting themselves very peacefully during and after the poll.

    “I appreciate our INEC staff, security men, stakeholders and especially the good people of Isi-Uzo for ensuring that this by-election was hitch-free,’’ Ononamadu said.

    The seat became vacant, following the death of the member representing the constituency, Mr Chijioke Ugwueze.

    The late lawmaker’s wife, Mrs Amaka Ugwueze, is the Peoples Democratic Party Candidate and the fourth female legislator in the state assembly.

    Borno

    The APC also won the two State Assembly seats in Borno State.

    Announcing the results in Briyel, headquarters of Bayo Local Government, the INEC Returning Officer Professor Gurama Abubakar declared Maina Maigari of the APC winner with 15,484 votes to defeat six other contestants.

    Also, Gajiram, Nganzai local government, the Returning Officer, Dr Kamsulum Umar declared APC candidate Mahommed Gajiram winner of the State Assembly seat with 8885 votes and returned elected.

    Bayelsa

    INEC declared former Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson the winner of the Bayelsa West by-election.

    Also, Moses Cleopas of PDP won in Bayelsa CentralSenatorial District

    The Returning Officer, Prof. Ekechukwe Okeke, Dean of Humanities, the Federal University, Otuoke, Bayelsa State and Dickson, the PDP candidate polled 115,257 votes while his closest rival, Peremobowei Ebebi, of the APC scored 17,541 votes.

    Dickson, who spoke in his country home of Toru-Orua, shortly after his return, dedicated the victory to God, the voters, Bayelsa and the Ijaw nation.

  • Ex-Bayelsa gov Dickson, family escape death as gunmen invade residence, kill policeman

    Ex-Bayelsa gov Dickson, family escape death as gunmen invade residence, kill policeman

    One police officer was killed in a midnight attack by some unknown gunmen at the Toru Orua, Bayelsa country home of former Governor Henry Seriake Dickson on Wednesday night.

    But Dickson and his family were not in the compound during the attack having been away in Abuja and Yenagoa for about three weeks.

    However, it was learnt that a police team successfully prevented the gunmen who attempted to invade the compound through the Forcados River from gaining access.

    The Police officer who was killed led the operation.

    In a statement by Fidelis Soweri, his spokesperson, the former Governor condoled with the immediate family of the late police officer, the Inspector General of Police, the Bayelsa State Commissioner of police and the entire police team on the death of the gallant policeman.

    He also noted that this period was indeed a trying one for the country, the police and the security agencies called on the society to give them the requisite support to effectively carry out the sensitive duty of securing the society.

    The former Governor said that the Commissioner of Police and heads of other security agencies have commenced immediate investigation to unravel those who perpetrated the heinous acts.

    He assured that no stone would be left unturned in the bid to fish out those behind the cruel act.

    He called on his supporters across the Ijaw nation give relevant information to the police to aid their investigation into the crime.

    He urged everybody to remain calm to await the outcome of police investigation.

  • Bye-election: Dickson becomes PDP candidate for Bayelsa West

    Bye-election: Dickson becomes PDP candidate for Bayelsa West

    Former Governor of Bayelsa State, Seriake Dickson, has emerged the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party for the Bayelsa West Senatorial District bye-election scheduled for October 31.

     

    The returning officer of the PDP national panel, Nicholas Obhiseh, declared Dickson winner of the party’s special primary election held on Saturday at Sagbama, headquarters of the Bayelsa West Senatorial District.

     

     

     

    “I hereby declare Seriake Dickson winner of this special primary election for the Bayelsa West Senatorial District,” Obhiseh said.

     

    The former governor was the only candidate in the exercise.

     

    A total of 338 delegates were accredited from 347 delegates that participated in the election which recorded 334 valid votes with four invalid votes.

     

    Speaking after his return as the PDP senatorial candidate for Bayelsa West, Dickson commended the people for their loyalty and support.

     

     

    Dickson said, “I am a proponent of the zoning. This will make Sagbama and Ekeremor become more united in the interest of posterity. I will spearhead it.

     

    “We will defeat those who are working against the interest of the Ijaw nation. After the primaries, there should be ‘Operation Deliver Your Unit, Ward, Your Community.”

     

  • Bayelsa West: PDP gives automatic ticket to ex-Governor Dickson

    Bayelsa West: PDP gives automatic ticket to ex-Governor Dickson

    The People’s Democratic Party, Bayelsa State Chapter, has given automatic ticket to Ex-Governor Seriake Dickson for the Bayelsa West Senatorial District election scheduled for October 31, 2020.

    The stakeholders and top political players of the PDP from Bayelsa West decided not to pick the party’s nomination form for the senatorial district out of respect for the former governor.

    The PDP chairman in the state, Chief Solomon Agwanana, said the people of the senatorial district were unanimous in the position that Dickson had the capacity, the pedigree and indeed the tested voice to provide the much needed effective representation at the Senate.

    Agwanana said the people had implicit confidence in the capacity of the former governor to exploit his vast experience and potential in the interest of the senatorial district, the state and the entire Ijaw Nation.

    While Bayelsa Central has five aspirants jostling for the PDP ticket, the West has only Dickson whose ticket was procured for him by a coalition of stakeholders

    He stressed that Dickson had a track record in the National Assembly as a former member of the House of Representatives aside from his sterling performance as the first ever two-term Governor of Bayelsa State.

    He reiterated that stakeholders of other political parties in the senatorial district should come on board to join the popular preference for Dickson as the next senator for Bayelsa West.

    Agwanana said the PDP and the people of the area were prepared to deliver Dickson on October 31, 2020.

    On Monday, Governor Douye Diri inaugurated the PDP Senatorial Campaign Council for Bayelsa West with political icon, Chief Fyneman Wilson as Chairman.

    Diri said Dickson emerged as the choice of all stakeholders in reward for his sacrifices and service to his people.

    He said that the political leaders had opted to support him because he committed his all to the service of Bayelsa and his people.

    He said: “I believe that the former Governor has served his heart out and for that reason everybody that matters in Bayelsa West politically has decided to say that this is where we will remain come sun, come rain.

    “It is also a period of reflection in that the former governor, our leader has done meticulously well to serve our state and to serve his senatorial district.

    “If he has not done well, all of these elders and leaders will not be gathering here to be inaugurated to be part of the team to send our former Governor to the National Assembly.”

  • Why I support ex-gov Dickson’s senatorial ambition – Edwin Clark

    Elder statesman and prominent leader of the South South region, Chief Edwin Clark has thrown his weight behind the senatorial ambition of the immediate past governor of Bayelsa State, Seriake Dickson.

    Recall that the Bayelsa Central and West senatorial seats became vacant following the inauguration of Senator Douye Diri and Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, as Governor and Deputy Governor, respectively, of Bayelsa State. The duo were former occupants of the vacant senatorial seats.

    Clark where declaring his support for Dickson in a statement said the ex-governor’s impeccable performance has a former lawmaker and two-term governor of the oil rich state necessitated his support for him.

    Read full statement below:

    WHY I DECLARE MY SUPPORT FOR HIS EXCELLENCY, HON. HENRY SERIAKE DICKSON’S SENATORIAL AMBITION – CHIEF (DR.) E. K. CLARK, OFR, CON.

    It is no longer news that, as fallout of the November 16, 2019, Gubernatorial Election in Bayelsa State, the Supreme Court, on February 13, 2020, pronounced Senator Douye Diri and Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, as Governor and Deputy Governor, respectively, of Bayelsa State. And on Friday, February 14, 2020, the duo was inaugurated as such. With this, the Bayelsa Central and Bayelsa West Senatorial District, hitherto occupied by Governor Douye Diri and his Deputy, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, were declared vacant. In accordance with extant laws, these vacant positions will be filled anytime soon.

    As applicable with every electoral season, it is not out of place to see plethora of aspirants expressing their rights by putting themselves forward to occupy electoral positions and canvassing for support, to represent our people at the red Chamber of Nigeria’s National Assembly.

    Watching and observing from my privileged vantage position as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), the apex socio-cultural organisation of the Ijaw race, and as a veteran politician, with many years at the top echelon of political leadership in this country, I know the true meaning of political representation, as it affects our people.

    It is a known fact that Bayelsa State is the epicenter of the Ijaw nation, at home and abroad. The State represents the collective aspirations of the Ijaw people, irrespective of politics or religious persuasions or leanings and geographical locations.

    It is necessary to note in retrospect, the vivacity, patriotic and purposeful representation of our people – the Ijaw people at our different levels of political government, particularly at the National Assembly.

    At this juncture, let me go down memory lane to call to mind what obtained when we were young men. Then, we witnessed the vibrancy, patriotism and political sagacity of Ijaw nationalists who had the opportunity to occupy representative seats in the parliament. I can recall the political exploits of the likes of late Hon. Nantry Ezonbodo, Chief J.O. Ariweriyai, Chief Alexander Atie and Hon. Harris Ozeke, who shook the various Houses and defended the Ijaw interest creditably. Even though, some of them were not as educated as we have now, but they stood firmly for the Ijaw nation.

    I was in the Senate during His Excellency, Alhaji Shehu Shagari’s presidency. I represented the Delta Senatorial Zone which has now become part of Bayelsa State since 1996. I am very familiar with all the communities in the Sagbama Senatorial Zone stretching from Peteorugbene, Amabilo, Ayama Fortorugbene, Ekeremo, all in Oporomo Clan, while Sampou is in Tereakiri, and Aleibiri in Oyeakiri. Ayamasa, Ofoni. Toru-Orua, Angalabiri, Bolorua, Tereakiri, Ebedebiri in old Tereakiri Clan. While Owonbiri (Angeama) in old Kunbo Clan. Otorofani, Asamabiri, Elemebiri and Ekperiwari in old Kabowei Clan; while in Nun River area are Agbere, Tereakiri and Odoni in Oyeakiri. In the Sagbama Creek are Okunbiri in old Ogobiri Mein Clan, amongst others. Today, these are the areas that constitute Sagbama Senatorial Zone.

    I have visited all these communities both as a Community Development Officer and as a Senatorial Candidate during my campaign and during the 1991 census.
    The Ijaw nation, which dovetailed in Bayelsa State is in a serious situation where choice of leadership at the various levels, particularly at the forthcoming National Assembly by-election, forms a critical paradigm in the development of the Ijaw nation. This is where men of character, passion for Ijaw nation, developmental antecedents, courage to speak for the Ijaws when others merely murmur. Men of knowledge, exposure and integrity, broad horizon with national outlook to unite all Ijaws, irrespective of where they are politically and geographically domiciled, commitment and determination to lend full weight to the call for restructuring of this country along the lines of true federalism and devolution of powers, on the platform of justice, equity and fair play, are needed.

    I make bold to say that His Excellency, Hon Barrister Henry Seriake Dickson, former Governor of Bayelsa State, I am convinced, fit into these qualities.

    During the period of Hon. Seriake’s administration as Governor of Bayelsa State which began in 2012, I followed closely, and I am convinced of his impeccable performance, for a number of reasons, which I have had the cause to address at several fora.

    BASIS FOR MY SUPPORT FOR HON. HENRY SERIAKE DICKSON.

    I conform to the view expressed by strategic segments of the stakeholders across religious and party leanings in support of the call to enable him offer further service to the Ijaw nation. I honestly hope my decision to support the senatorial candidature of His Excellency, Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson, for the Bayelsa West Senatorial District will not come as a surprise to patriotic and dedicated Ijaws.

    I am not unaware of the feelings, and disappointments of many Bayelsans as a result of his (Hon. Dickson’s) last minute open support for the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) candidate to succeed him. But while I appreciate such feelings from these eminent sons and daughters, I wish to appeal to them, that in the interest of the Ijaw nation, let bygones be bygones.

    UNWAVERING PATRIOTISM TO IJAW INTEREST:

    It is a clearly known fact that Hon. Dickson has an unwavering and inherently patriotic zeal for the sustenance and enhancement of Ijaw interest, irrespective of whose horse is gored. He has sufficiently cut his leadership teeth at the various levels within the hierarchy of Ijaw National Congress (INC), and the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), providing leadership and giving sense of belonging to every Ijaw man, in Bayelsa State, irrespective of the State in which they are domiciled.

    For instance, in his 8-Year regime as Governor of Bayelsa State, he ensured that Ijaws from other States were brought into his government, either as Commissioners, Special Advisers, Special Assistants and other senior government positions. He has the history, as Governor in Bayelsa State who has met critical needs of Ijaws in other States, and in the Diaspora.

    UNDERSTANDING CRITICAL NEEDS OF IJAW NATION AND THE NIGER DELTA REGION.

    He is well versed on issues of Restructuring, True Federalism, Devolution of Power and Resource Control. He has the right language to deploy, the charisma, the right commitment and determination to achieving these objective. As a former member of the House of Representatives, he has a hands-on experience on legislative procedures and workings, the leadership acumen to weather through murky waters of parliamentary democracy and gymnastics. Governor Dickson has been a leading voice in the call for restructuring of this country. He makes no pretention about it.

    INFRASTRUCTURAL REVOLUTION IN BAYELSA STATE.

    The eight years of Governor Dickson’s administration as Governor of Bayelsa State was that of infrastructural revolution in the State. The developmental strides are evident in every sector – from Education, Roads, Water, Agriculture, Housing, Health, repositioning of the Civil Service, Social infrastructure, to Aviation, etc.

    It is to his credit that he literarily declared emergency in the education, road, health and other sectors in Bayelsa State. For instance, the education sector saw the establishment of two full-fledged universities – the University of Africa, Toru-Orua, and the Bayelsa Medical University, Yenagoa; the Ijaw National College, Kaiama, complete with full scholarship for every child in the College, first of its kind not only in the Ijaw Nation, but even in Niger Delta, is quite commendable.

    There is also the landmark Bayelsa International Airport, hitherto, thought impossible. I had the honour of being invited to Chair the occasion for the Commissioning Ceremony of so many of these and other projects, where Gen. Yakubu Gowon, rtd., former Military Head of State, was Special Guest of Honour.

    I also watched with delight, the discussion between Prof. Wole Soyinka and Prof. John Pepper Clark, when they visited the Ijaw National College, Kaiama, immediately after the commissioning of the school.

    The success of the Sagbama–Ekeremor Road is one huge achievement the Governor Dickson administration has actually brought to demonstrate that the Ijaw nation can indeed be linked and opened up by road networks.

    ACCEPTABILITY AND ACCESSIBILITY

    Governor Dickson possess a personality that is accessible and acceptable, not just by his immediate environment, but across the wide spectrum of political divides. He has the ability and charisma to network and build strategic bridges and forge alliances across regional enclaves, towards achieving overall objectives. These are qualities that are required of true representatives of their people

    I have been privilege to be in the red Chamber. As Senator in the Second Republic, I know the dynamism that is brought to bear in parliamentary procedures.

    To refresh the memory of some persons, I have worked and merited the leadership of my dear people, the Ijaws, for over 70 years. I was the Head Master of N.A. School, Okrika (Ofonibegha), and later became the first Head Master of Ofoni N.A. School in 1954.

    Today, I am proud to say that some of my pupils in that School are Commissioners, Senators and imminent persons who have held high offices; the father of the present Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State was a senior monitor in my school in 1954. I was later appointed Head Master of the Central Native Authority School, Bomadi, in 1955, and later, as Head Master of the only Modern School in Western Ijaw at the time.

    I later became Community Development Officer, and I was in charge of the whole Delta Province. I left in 1961 to the United Kingdom to study Law. I registered as a member of the Honourable Society of Inner Temple.

    I returned to Nigeria in 1965. I was thereafter, appointed Commissioner for Education by Col. S.O. Ogbemudia (as he then was), the Military Governor of Midwest State. During my tenure, I increased the number of Secondary Schools in Western Ijaw Division from just one Secondary School to ten. The only Grammar School at that time was the St. Brendan College, Bomadi, owned by the Catholic Mission.

    It was at my time as Commissioner of Education, that the Government of Midwest State took it over and renamed it Government College, Bomadi. The school was commissioned by Brig. Mobolaji Johnson, then Military Governor of Lagos State at a ceremony.

    It may be necessary to mention here, some of the Grammar Schools I established: Gbesa Grammar School, Ozobo; Oporoza Grammar School, Patani; Mein Grammar School, Kaigbodo; Akugbene Grammar School, Akugbene; Nun Grammar School, Agbere/Odoni in Nun River; Torubeni Grammar School, Torubeni in Sagbama Creek; Ayakromo Grammar School, Ayakromo; Burutu Grammar School, Burutu, amongst others.

    In addition to the establishment of Grammar Schools, I initiated a Scholarship scheme for all Ijaw female students who gained admission into tertiary institutions. Majority of the students in the various Universities in Nigeria got scholarships and bursaries. I am responsible for the establishment of the University of Benin, where I was Pro-Chancellor for 5 (five) years. Today, the Faculty of Management Sciences of that University is named after me. Having regard to the size of our towns then, I appealed to the Governor to develop three urban towns including Bomadi, Ojobo and Patani.

    By the time I left as Commissioner of Finance between 1972 and 1974, I saw to it that the government was able to build a Hospital, Police Station and Catering Rest House in these three communities. It was while I was serving as Commissioner of Finance in 1974, that General Yakubu Gowon appointed me Federal Commissioner (Minister) of Information to take over from our beloved leader Chief Anthony Enahoro, a veteran politician.

    Hither to my appointment into the Midwest Government as Commissioner for Education, and later Finance, there was nowhere in Western Ijaw that cars can be driven to, and that was why Governor S. O. Ogbemudia, under whom I served, established the Delta Boat Yard Company to carry people and goods to all parts of Ijaw.

    I was the first Chairman of that company which had its headquarters in Warri. Later, I discovered that contrary to the wrong assertion of Chief Obafemi Awolowo of the Action Group political party, that no road could be constructed to any part of Ijaw because we were living under water, I thought that was a wrong assertion; and to prove my position, the Midwest State Government under which I served as Commissioner, built a road from Ughelli to Patani, and this was followed by the Rivers State Government under Military Governor Alfred Diette-Spiff, and Professor Lawrence Ekpebu as Commissioner of Finance, which built a road from Port Harcourt to Kaiama. The contractor was Dumez under the leadership of one Mr. Kamel. This is the precursor to the now known East-West Road.

    Also, we awarded a road contract to a Greek Company called Edok Mandillas, to construct a road from Bomadi to Ojobo and from Bomadi to Gbekebo. But the Governor that succeeded Ogbemudia repeated the Awolowo theory that there was no way a road could be built to Ijaw land. At that point, work was started with late Engr. Ebikpolade Stow, as Resident Engineer in Bomadi.

    Today, I am a happy man that my desire to construct roads in Western Ijaw is accomplished. One can drive from Bomadi to other parts of Ijaw. Work on the Bomadi-Ojobo Road is on-going, and very soon, by God’s grace, the road will reach Ojobo. Meanwhile cars can be driven from Bomadi to Isama. The Bomadi-Ojobo Road was later taken over by the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

    I am informed that one can now drive to Tuomo and beyond, while the road to Ojobo is under construction. The Ohoro-Bomadi Road from the East-West Road was also started but could not be completed before I left to become Federal Commissioner (Minister).

    Today, at my old age, one can drive a car from Warri to Bomadi, and from there drive towards Isama, and to the Ojobo side. One can, therefore, imagine my joy and appreciation for the construction of the road from Sagbama-Ekeremor by Governor Henry Seriake Dickson.

    It is in recognition of my service to the Ijaw nation that the Ijaws gathered together in Bomadi to confer on me a chieftaincy title by nine Ijaw Traditional Rulers led by the Pere of Kunbowei Clan, His Royal Highness, Pere Cole. I was made the Ebizonkereowei of Ijaw land. In all my services to our dear Ijaw nation, I did not seek or crave for material benefits.

    I have enumerated all of the above to show that any group that do not have strong personality to represent their affairs, will be almost left out in the scheme of things.

    The Ijaw nation today, more than ever before, needs people with strong character, to run for the Senate, to tackle the lingering issues, and the interest of the Ijaw nation, the Niger Delta; such issues as Restructuring, True Federalism, Resource Control, and other pertinent matters in the defense of the Ijaw interest, the South-South and indeed the country.

    I make bold to declare that His Excellency, Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson, the immediate past Governor of Bayelsa State, has displayed the quintessential Ijaw virtues of honour, courage and integrity, and has never succumbed to intimidation. I believe that he would advance our cause and join other compatriots to work for a better and greater Nigeria.

    As the fourth largest ethnic nationality in Nigeria, we stand to gain more by working together than by singing discordant tunes. We must, therefore, settle for the best to represent our interest at the national level.