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  • Election postponement may lead to full blown crisis if…Bayelsa Gov, Dickson raises alarm

    Election postponement may lead to full blown crisis if…Bayelsa Gov, Dickson raises alarm

    Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State has warned of a looming major constitutional crisis, if the elections failed to hold as rescheduled by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    Dickson, who briefed reporters in Government House, Yenagoa, said there was a need for stakeholders to work collectively to avert the crisis.

    Dickson suggested that President Muhammadu Buhari should immediately convene an expanded emergency meeting of the National Council of State.

    He said the meeting should have the service chiefs, INEC, political party leaders, their candidates and other major stakeholders in attendance.

    He said the stakeholders should resolve on the new date for the postponed elections, adding that INEC was wrong to have unilaterally chosen next Saturday for the rescheduled polls.

    He cautioned leaders against name-calling, appealing to them to work in the interest of the country to avoid plunging Nigeria into avoidable succession crisis.

    He said it was unpatriotic for anyone to be calling for the removal of the INEC chairman, adding that the country would be on a crossroad, if two critical institutions – INEC and the Supreme Court – were undergoing crisis at the same time.

    He said: “This postponement belittled our country. It doesn’t show us as a serious country. Unless all stakeholders drop the habit of name-calling and claiming to be rights, we are moving close to a major constitutional crisis.

    “If anything should go wrong, we will have a full-blown crisis; crisis of succession at a time the Supreme Court is also undergoing crisis. We should not call for the removal of the INEC Chairman. If INEC is in crisis and the Supreme Court is crisis, I don’t know where we are headed.

    “I call on President Muhammadu Buhari as the leader of the country to convene an emergency meeting of the National Council of states to enable service chiefs and the INEC brief stakeholders on their preparations.

    “The meeting should involve the political party chairmen and the presidential candidates to examine the developing scenario, which may plunge our country into crisis. I believe that if we all sit down and know the circumstances, we should agree on a new date.

    “I disagree with INEC’s unilateral announcement of Saturday as a new date. I do not believe that all the challenges that INEC has can be resolved within six days. A more sensible approach is needed. Our nation cannot afford another postponement.”

    The governor noted that few hours to the postponed elections, Bayelsa did not have ballot papers for presidential elections and stamps to authenticate votes.

    “Even now, I am told there are issues of unserialised ballot papers”, he said.

    The governor hailed Buhari for calling on security agencies to deal ruthlessly with troublemakers during the election.

    He said by such presidential directive, security agencies should no longer be encumbered from doing their jobs without fear or favour.

    He particularly appealed to security agencies to ensure the application of the directive in Bayelsa, especially in areas like Ekeremor and Brass, where he said some known political figures had been fomenting troubles.

    Dickson called on the electorate to maintain their momentum and not to be discouraged by the postponement.

    He also disagreed with INEC on suspension of campaigns, saying that his party would continue to engage the people in accordance with the established law of the land.

    Dickson, who insisted that it was unfortunate that INEC postponed the poll despite all the preparations in the state, including declaring a two-day holiday, asked stakeholders to work against further shift.

  • Saraki, Atiku, Dickson, others condemn Onnoghen’s suspension, say Buhari endangering Nigeria’s democracy

    The controversial suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen by President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday evening has continued to generate mixed reactions with most Nigerians describing the suspension as illegal and aberration of constitutional process.

    The Senate President, Bukola Saraki; presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State and other influential Nigerians have condemned act.

    Recall that President Buhari announced suspension of the CJN on Friday, accusing the top jurist of failing to properly declare his assets in violation of the Nigerian code of conduct law. Onnoghen denied the allegations, and the matter had been taken before a tribunal.

    The tribunal has not ruled on the matter, but granted a controversial ex-parte order for the president to suspend Mr Onnoghen from office indefinitely.

    The Court of Appeal, which has powers to review the actions of the tribunal, ruled this week that the tribunal should cease further hearing on the assets declaration charges, which were brought against Mr Onnoghen by a former aide of Mr Buhari and a senior member of the ruling All Progressives Congress in Enugu State.

    The Nigerian Constitution at Section 292 said a Supreme Court judge can only be removed with the concurrence of two-thirds of the Nigerian Senate, which has a total of 109 members. But the legislature has not heard any matter about Mr Onnoghen, much less taken action towards his removal.

    Onnoghen was suspended a day before he was scheduled to inaugurate the election petition tribunals for next month’s election. Many believe the president acted to prevent him from doing so.

    See statements from Saraki, Atiku, Dickson and others on the suspension below:

    Onoghen’s Suspension, a Coup Against Democracy – Saraki

    Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki has described the suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Walter Onoghen by President Muhammadu Buhari, as a coup against democracy and a deliberate attempt to endanger our hard-won democracy.

    Saraki, in a statement personally signed by him stated that the suspension was another act of desperation by President Buhari. He noted that by the suspension of the CJN, Buhari has acted outside the provision of the constitution, has exercised the powers which he does not have and that this action amounted to gross misconduct.

    “This is an action aimed at undermtining the nation’s judiciary, subverting the constitution, intimidating judges of all the courts of record, and creating uncertainty in the electoral process, thereby laying the foundation for influencing the outcome of litigations that might arise from next month’s elections.

    “There are already the general belief that this hasty action was taken to pre-empt the already scheduled inauguration of election petition tribunals by Hon. Justice Onoghen and to destroy national institutions that are perceived to be unco-operative in his bid to manipulate the electoral process leading to next month’s general elections.

    “By unilaterally suspending the CJN without following the provision of the constitution, President Buhari has taken an action which amounted to gross misconduct. He has simply sent a dangerous signal to the entire world that Nigeria is no longer a democratic nation and that we have returned to the old, jaded era of military dictatorship .

    “Our constitution makes no provision for suspension of the nation’s highest judicial officer. The constitution provides a clear process for removal of the CJN and specify the roles of the three arms of government, beginning from the National Judicial Council (NJC), the National Assembly and lastly, the Presidency, have different roles to play in that process. There is no condition under which the President can usurp the powers of other arms of government. I do not know where the President and his advisers got this idea of suspending the CJN on the so-called order of the Code of Conduct Tribunal but this is novel, disingenuous and alien to our laws.

    “The President and his team must have seen this so-called suspension as a short-cut to getting Hon. Justice Onnoghen out of the way since the appellate court has eventually stopped the CCT from continuing with the trial of the CJN. It is strange that President Buhari is claiming to be taking orders from a Tribunal which has been ordered by a superior court to halt all actions on the trial.

    “With this action, President Buhari has initiated a process the consequence of which nobody can predict. They have precipitated a constitutional crisis.

    “At this point, all democratic institutions in the country, the international community and democrats across the world should rise against this blatant act of impunity. We should jointly condemn this retrogressive, uncivilized and despotic measure”, Saraki stated.

    He however called on President Buhari to immediately reverse this decision and allow the due process of law to take its natural course in determining the guilt or otherwise as well as the suitability of Hon. Justice Onnoghen to continue as the head of the nation’s judiciary.

     

    The Purported Suspension of CJN Onnoghen is an Act of Dictatorship Taken too Far – Atiku

    The purported suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria by President Muhammadu Buhari, is an anti democratic act which I reject in its entirely and call on Justice Onnoghen and the judiciary to resist with every legal and constitutional means that they can muster.

    This brazen dictatorial act is the latest action in the ongoing rape of our nation’s hard earned democracy by those who dined with anti democratic forces, and is symptomatic of the increasing desperation that President Buhari and the cabal pulling the strings have as February 16, 2019 draws near.

    The fact that the unlawful suspension of Chief Justice Walter Onnoghen was announced just as it became public knowledge that the CJN was constituting the election petition tribunals is not lost on discerning Nigerians and the international community. This act of desperation is geared towards affecting the outcome of the 2019 Presidential elections. Indeed, it is not just the CJN that has been “suspended”, it is the Nigerian Constitution that has been infracted and, in effect, suspended, under the guise of the suspension of the CJN.

    The case involving the legality or otherwise of the charges against Chief Justice Walter Onnoghen is in court, as it should be. So far, the judiciary has ruled in Justice Onnoghen’s favour. So, why not allow the court to adjudicate on the matter? What is the pressing urgency?

    I want to seize this opportunity to call for unity amongst the judiciary. Do not let the Muhammadu Buhari administration divide you. Do not let this government turn you against yourselves. The judiciary is the last hope of the common man and the defender of our democracy.

    I also urge the international community to follow the commendable example of the United States and the United Kingdom by intervening to make those involved in this undemocratic act know that their actions will have consequences. Strong consequences.

    And to the Nigerian electorate, I call on you to save your beloved country from dictatorship by voting against President Muhammadu Buhari’s desperate war against the judiciary. Our country is falling apart under the leadership of President Buhari and it is time to stand up for democracy.

     

    ONNOGHEN’S REMOVAL AS CJN A SAD DAY FOR DEMOCRACY, NIGERIA’S STABILITY – DICKSON

    The Chairman of the South South Governors Forum and Governor òf Bayelsa State, the Honourable Henry Seriake Dickson, has condemned the decision of President Muhammadu Buhari to sack the ChiefJustice òf the Federation, Justice Walter Onnoghen.

    The Governor described the removal of Onnoghen as a sad day and indeed a sad commentary on democracy in Nigeria.

    The Special Adviser to the Governor on Media Relations, Mr. Fidelis Soriwei, quoted the Governor as having made the comment while speaking with journalists shortly after receiving the Sun Newspaper Award for the Outstanding Politician the Year in Lagos on Thursday night.

    Dickson also said that the action was inimical to the desired stability of the nation and critical institutions of state.

    The Governor said that Nigerians had a responsibility to be concerned about the electoral process and the critical institutions entrusted with the responsibility to safeguard democracy in the society.

    He said that Nigeria would be heading in the direction of a shithole country as a president allegedly said if critical institutions of state don’t get it right.

    He lamented that the removal of Onnoghen from his exalted position of the Chief Justice òf Nigeria showed in clear terms that democracy was under serious stress and test.

    He said, “Talking about the unfortunate development today, having read the details about it, and if the report that we are reading about it are anything to go by, then it is a very sad commentary on our nation’s democracy

    “It is a very sad day, for our nation’s democracy and for the stability of our nation, and the stability of the critical national institution of which the judiciary is primus inter pares.

    “We must be concerned about the process, the integrity of the national critical institutions that will safeguard and reinforce our democracy, seeing our democracy has come under very severe stress and test by what has happened today.

    He stressed that while the courts would make pronouncement on the legality or otherwise on the development around the CJN, he personally found the action condemnable

    “Is this action legal? I am sure the courts are there to make pronouncements on it one way or the order. However I have my views, and clearly I condemn it.” He added.

    He emphasized the need for due process and adherence to constitutional provisions stressing that countries are governed according to laws and mutual respect among the political class.

    The Governor said that there must be respect for processes in the Indepedent National Electoral Commission, and the security agencies.

     

    PRESIDENT BUHARI’S COUP AGAINST THE NIGERIA CONSTITUTION AND PEOPLES – MID WEST MOVEMENT

    The Midwest Movement condemns in the strongest words possible, the sacrilegious actions of suspension of the substantive Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), His Lordship Hon. Justice Walter Onnoghen and the purported appointing of an Ag. Chief Justice in the person of Ibrahim Tanko Mohammad, JSC. We hereby DEMAND the immediate annulment of this “coup” against the Nigerian Constitution.

    The reasons given by President Muhammadu Buhari for taking these weighty and clearly unconstitutional steps are as flawed as they are an embarrassment to the entire Nigeria nation and Midwest Region of Edo and Delta States in particular.

    The provision of the Constitution is very explicit on the processes for removing and replacing the Chief Justice of Nigeria. The relevant provision is section 292 (1) (a) (i), which prescribes that the CJN, can only be removed by the “President acting on an address supported by two/thirds majority of the Senate.”

    The Constitution does not empower the President to suspend the CJN. The judiciary is a co-equal branch of government. By the separation of powers, checks and balances enshrined in the Constitution, *the CJN cannot be disciplined unilaterally by the President under any guise whatsoever! *

    In effect, the CJN is not subordinate to the President and is neither under the President nor are all other members of the judiciary.

    While the Midwest Movement, as most Nigerians, support the crusade against corruption, we reject any so-called anti-corruption crusade which amounts to abuse of power. The country cannot afford the catastrophic consequences of undermining due process of law as the President has exhibited.

    The Midwest Movement therefore aligns with all those who have condemned this presidential act of brazen lawlessness and call on the National Assembly to react appropriately.

    On our part, we call on the good people of Edo and Delta States to brace up for the titanic battle to rescue Nigeria from the hands of lawless people in power whoever they may be. We assure that no matter how hard lawless people will try, theirs is a lost cause from the very beginning.

    Nigeria shall survive them. It has always done so for many years; and with the people coming together and insisting on the rule of law and it’s due processes, the country shall pull through this renewed assault against the rule of law and shall emerge even more strengthened.

    Long live the good people of Delta and Edo State.

    Long live the Federation of Nigeria.
    Up Bendel!!

    Dr. Pedro Obaseki
    Convener
    Midwest Movement.

  • Restructuring: Why I’m disappointed in Buhari – Dickson

    Restructuring: Why I’m disappointed in Buhari – Dickson

    Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State has expressed disappointment over President Muhammadu Buhari’s inability to take a ‘bold step’ in restructuring Nigeria.

    Speaking at the public presentation of a book ‘We Are All Biafrans,’ he said Nigeria cannot move forward until its citizens ‘go back to the faulty structure that we are currently.’

    To achieve this, he charged President Buhari to rise up to the occasion, expressing disappointment at his current disposition.

    “Again, I want to call for leadership responsibility from the president of Nigeria. He’s got to use the power, influence and authority of that office to mobilise our country to do the restructuring,” he said. “I regret to say that I feel disappointed that the president didn’t rise to the occasion. It’s a tragedy for our country and also a major tragedy for his own leadership.”

    Dickson said the good structure Nigeria started on was altered when the military took over power in 1966.

    He asked Nigerian leaders to dialogue to resolve any issue at stake while urging for efforts towards national interest.

    “What did our founding fathers do that we are failing to do. They sat down, dialogued, disagreed, sometimes walking out of conferences, all those are political tools,” he said. “We shouldn’t be afraid of disagreeing. In fact, we need more disagreement. But the important thing is whether we agree or disagree should be in national interest.”

    He lauded the author, Chido Onoumah, for his initiative while registering his conception of being Biafran.

    “Why is this guy saying that we are all Biafrans? I want to make it clear from the beginning that we are all Biafrans in so far as we are concerned about issues of inequity and injustice,” he said.

    “Here, the concept of Biafra is used as a constant reminder of the challenges and contradictions of our nation. Then, it is right to say we are all Biafrans because we are all concerned about those contradictions and challenges.

    “But I disagree with the concept of Biafra connoting a particular geographical location that wants to be separate with the rest of Nigeria. I don’t agree with that Biafra,” he added.

     

  • 2019: Dickson, Clark raise alarm, say security agencies now extension of APC

    Bayelsa State Governor, the Honourable Henry Seriake Dickson, and the Ijaw National Leader, Chief Edwin Clark, have raised the alarm over the increasing abuse of security agencies by the ruling political party, the All Progressives Congress, and the Federal Government.

    A statement by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media Relations, Mr. Fidelis Soriwei, quoted Governor Dickson and the Elder Statesman as raising the concern when Pa Clark paid him a condolence visit on the death of his mother, Ma Goldcoast Dickson, in Abuja, on Friday.

    The governor said Nigerians were deeply worried about the conduct of the security agencies across in the country.

    According to him, the security agencies were disturbingly metamorphosing into an extension of the ruling party, the APC, ahead of the 2019 general election.

    Governor Dickson condemned the recent assassination attempt on the Deputy Senate President, Prof. Ike Ekweremadu, and the police invasion of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly.

    He described the action of the police authorities, who sealed off the House òf Assembly, as an assault on the democratic order, which he said should not be encouraged.

    Dickson stated further that the recent posting of eight police commissioners to Bayelsa State within a shockingly short period of three months only showed a sinister plot to destabilize the peace, security and stability of the state ahead of the 2019 general elections.

    He called on the relevant authorities and the security agencies to conduct themselves in a way that would promote the nation’s democracy rather than putting it in jeopardy.

    “We are all concerned about the conduct of security agencies ahead of the 2019 general elections. In fact, all lovers of Nigeria and democracy are concerned about the conduct of the security agencies.

    “The agencies have become an extension of the ruling party, which should not be. The abuse of the security forces constitute a threat to the security, democracy and stability of the country.

    “I condemn the recent assassination attempt on the life of the Deputy Senate President, Prof. Ike Ekweremadu. It is totally reprehensible.

    “I also condemn the invasion of the Akwa Ibom State House òf Assembly. It was a desecration of the democratic order.

    “In Bayelsa, we have had no fewer than eight police commissioners in the last three months. It won’t take you long to know that there is a sinister game going on to destabilize and create instability in the state that we have worked so hard to stabilize. We urge the security agencies to conduct themselves in a way that would stabilize democracy.

    “The greatest challenge we have ahead of the 2019 election is the conduct of the security agencies. That is the concern of all well-meaning Nigerians.
    Politicians and people in government need to know that there is a country to govern after elections.

    “Let us not in the quest for election, destroy these critical agencies of state and the career and reputation of these officials. When you politicize these agencies, you threaten the careers of these people who are professionals in their own right,” Governor Dickson said.

    Governor Dickson warned against subjecting control of security agencies to non-state actors in the country.

    Speaking also, Pa E.K Clark condemned the erratic transfer of eight police commissioners to Bayelsa State in three months.

    He said that he was not surprised at the conduct of the police as they recently invaded his house in Abuja even at his age of 91 in a purported search for arms.

    He cautioned a former governor of Bayelsa, who is a Chieftain òf the APC, who he accused of being behind the instigation of the politics in police postings to the state to stop making himself a laughing stock.

  • Why I can’t order opening of Bayelsa schools now – Dickson

    The Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, at the weekend ruled out immediate reopening of schools, which were closed by the government following the flood disaster.
     
    Dickson, who spoke in a media chat in Yenagoa, said there was a need to protect children from water borne diseases.
     
    But the governor assured the people of the state that the schools would not be closed for too long following the flood assessment reports by a committee led by the Commissioner for Education, Jonathan Obuebite.
     
    He said the Ministry of Education was working to mitigate the negative impact of the closure on the overall performance of students in the forthcoming West African Examination Council (WAEC).
     
    The governor noted that while the flood started to recede, government was more concerned about the health and safety of the children.
     
    He said that the government was taking steps to ensure proper sanitation of all the schools including the ones that were converted to camps for displaced persons before children were allowed into them.
     
    He said: “We ordered a forced closure of all schools about a month ago to ensure the safety of the children. But now that the flood is receding, we will do everything possible to make our schools habitable before announcing the resumption of schools.
     
    “But let me assure you that, that will not be too long from now. The State Ministry of Education is monitoring the water level and making daily reports to me. We are not in a hurry to push children who are vulnerable to harm’s way.
     
    “On the issue of the performance of our students in national examinations, I want to assure you that government will encourage all schools to make some adjustments to enable them to make up for lost time”.
     
    The governor, who commended the flood victims for their resilience said the government would do its best to ameliorate the plight of displaced persons and ensure their resettlement into their communities
     
    He called for collaboration in proffering long term solutions to address the flood issue through the dredging of the major rivers, tributaries, shore protection as well as construction of sea walls and shelters.
     
    Dickson also offered automatic employment to all indigenes of the state,mwho graduated with first class in their respective areas of studies.
     
    He called on such graduates, who did not pick the employment forms for the 1000 vacancies announced earlier by the government, to approach the civil service commission for enrollment into the service.
     
    He explained that the automatic employment of first class graduates would be in addition to the 1000 graduates awaiting oral interview to be conducted by the Civil Service Commission.
     
    He explained that his desire to bequeathed a vibrant and productive civil servant inspired the decision to engage all first class graduates in the state.

  • What I’ll miss about my late mother – Gov Dickson

    Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State has said that his mother was an integral part of his journey in life.

    The mother, Mrs Gold Coast Dickson, died at MD Anderson Cancer Centre, Houston, Texas in the US on August 8 at the age of 72.

    In a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Francis Agbo, in Yenagoa on Wednesday, Dickson during a service organised by the state government in her honour, described his mother as “My Guardian Angel”.

    He expressed appreciation and gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo and former Nigerian leaders, who called to commiserate with him and his family.

    “My mother has been an integral part of my journey. She was not just my mother, she was my elder sister, she was my rock, my counsellor, my guardian angel.

    “And because of her subtle style, people might not know the level of her influence,” Dickson said.

    He explained that, his mother popularly known as “Mama Gogo”, in January complained of pain in the leg, which was later diagnosed at Bayelsa Diagnostic Centre as cancer.

    “I thank the state for the outpouring of genuine grief; I call for more prayers for the family, especially during this period.

    “I appreciate and give thanks to President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice-President, Yemi Osinbajo and former Nigerian leaders, who called to commiserate with me and my family.

    “I also thank the clergy among others for their prayers and support.

    “My profound appreciation also goes to all former heads of state and presidents of Nigeria, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, and Dr Goodluck Jonathan for personally calling and writing formal condolence letters to condole with us.

    “I was humbled by the outpour of concern and love shown to me by my colleagues and brother governors who spared precious time out of their busy schedules to commiserate with my family and I.

    “I am also grateful to former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar for identifying with us in our most trying period,” Dickson stated.

  • BREAKING: Gunmen assassinate Gov Dickson’s aide [Graphic photo]

    BREAKING: Gunmen assassinate Gov Dickson’s aide [Graphic photo]

    Gunmen suspected to be assassins have killed Ebikimi Okoringa, an aide of Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson.

    Okoringa, who was recently inaugurated as a Special Adviser to Governor Dickson was shot dead at his hometown in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of the state.

    The victim, a former Acting Chairman of the local government was attacked and killed at about 10pm on Monday.

    A community source, who craved anonymity, said the suspected assassins laid an ambush close to his house and shot him immediately he came down from his car.

    “They waited for him under the cover of darkness. Immediately he alighted from his car and walked towards his door, they released the first bullet,” the source said.

    He said the killers made sure that their victim was dead before they left him and fled the area.

    Though it has yet to be ascertained the motive behind the dastardly act, the incident was said to have jolted other cabinet members.

    Spokesman for Bayelsa State Police Command, Asinim Butswat, could not be reached for his comments.

  • 2019: APC failed on campaign promises, not fit to return to power – Dickson

    2019: APC failed on campaign promises, not fit to return to power – Dickson

    Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State on Wednesday said the ruling party has failed on its campaign promises to Nigerians and is not fit to be reelected in 2019.

    The governor also condemned what he calls “constant demonisation” of the Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, by the APC-led federal government, describing it as childish and uncalled for.

    He said ridiculing the major opposition party by way of releasing lists of purported looters was “a distraction on the polity”, urging the government to concentrate on delivering on its promises to Nigerians.

    According to a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Francis Ottah Agbo, Dickson stated this during a live media interview in his office in Yenagoa on Wednesday.

    The governor also reiterated his belief in the existence of two dominant parties in the country.

    He however regretted that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is grossly fragmented, a development he noted, has made the party disorganised.

    “This country needs two strong political parties. A united not fragmented party in government and a cohesive and clear-headed opposition party. The constant demonization of the PDP by the APC, for me, is childish and uncalled for.

    “I have the feeling that the APC, though in power, still behaves like a party in the opposition and on a campaign mode. I believe the APC has failed on its promise to Nigerians, they have failed to secure the country, the country is on a precipice. I think they should have done better than they are doing right now.”

    Mr Dickson also lamented the spate of senseless killings in Nigeria and urged the APC-led federal government to focus on tackling insecurity and economic recession, instead of distracting Nigerians with the so called looters lists.

    “The PDP made its mistakes but it achieved a lot for our democracy and our country. There is too much division in the country right now, and the federal government has to unify the country. They should look at the wanton killings in the country not only by Boko Haram but by the herdsmen and arrest the ugly situation” he added.

    On the ongoing civil service reforms in the state, Mr Dickson vowed that his administration would not be dissuaded from bequeathing a highly professionalized, disciplined and motivated public service, through the ongoing reforms.

    The governor also noted that, the exercise was not aimed at witch-hunting any worker, but to rid the service of all forms of irregularities, sharp practices with the view to repositioning the service to stand the test of time.

    He said: ‘‘The mind-set that you can keep your name on the pay roll without coming to work is negative and we have to draw the red line now, because we want to leave behind a reformed, repositioned, motivated and efficient work force that can stand the test of time…’’

    Commending the various labour leaders in the state for being part of the process of sanitizing the public service at the state and local government levels, as well as all the educational institutions, the Governor assured that, at the end of the exercise, it would promote efficiency and increase productivity.

    The governor, who cited the case of 1,090 staff with teaching qualification redundant at the local government councils, stressed that, they would be redeployed to schools after going through refresher courses.

    He directed the chairman of the Civil Service Commission to formulate an employment policy that, would ensure the employment of fresh graduates into the vacancies that would be created arising from the reforms.

    Governor Dickson also directed the committee handling the verification of the state workers to release the salaries of identified genuine workers, who were affected by the suspension order.

     

  • Easter: Atiku, Makarfi, Dickson, others felicitate with Christians; preach love, tolerance

    Easter: Atiku, Makarfi, Dickson, others felicitate with Christians; preach love, tolerance

    Former Vice President and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has felicitated with Christians as they mark the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

    In this, he was joined by Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State, PDP chieftain and former Kaduna State governor, Senator Ahmed Makarfi and former Osun State deputy governor, Senator Iyiola Omisore.

    In a statement released by his media office in Abuja to mark the Easter celebrations, Atiku called on Nigerians to emulate the virtues of love and sacrifice which characterised the life of Jesus Christ.

    The Waziri Adamawa described those two qualities as essential to the unity that Nigeria so desperately needs at this time when vested and provincial interests threaten to tear our nation apart.

    He also encouraged Nigeria’s leaders to use the opportunity of the Easter celebration to reflect on their stewardship to their people and to the nation.

    “Our leaders at all levels should follow the virtues that define this season – sacrifice, love and charity – and come together to help all Nigerians resolve the differences that divide us.

    We must not allow those who seek to divide us to pretend as if our problems are as a result of another ethnic or religious group,” Atiku said.

    On his part, Senator Omisore charged Christians as well as all Nigerians to demonstrate the essence of Easter as exemplified by Jesus Christ, by living in love and harmony with one another.

    Omisore, a former Chairman Senate Committee on Appropriation, gave this charge in a statement he issued to felicitate with Nigerians on Easter celebrations.

    “As Nigerians, we must eschew acts that will divide us further. We must embrace Christ’s attitude of living in love and harmony with ourselves and our neighbours,” he said.

    “It is not by chance that God put all of us in this environment called Nigeria. Whether as Muslims or Christians, we must remember always that we are our brother’s keeper.

    “We must promote all the enriching values that make our lives and society embodiments of godliness.”

    Omisore, who was the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2014 governorship election in Osun State, urged the people of the state to be steadfast in their prayers.

    Bayelsa State governor, Hon, Henry Seriake Dickson, urged Nigerians, particularly Christians to jealously cherish and guide their faith by living a Christ-like life of selfless service, sacrifice, love and righteousness.

    The governor, in a press statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Francis Ottah Agbo, noted that, without the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, “our faith as Christians would have been a fallacy.”

    While stressing that Nigeria is presently at a crossroads, the governor called on Bayelsans to love one another, pray fervently for the peace, prosperity and stability of the nation and sacrifice for the common good of Bayelsa State.

    Governor Dickson also solicited for the maximum cooperation of the people and leaders of the state and the Ijaw Nation to enable his Restoration Government consolidate on its legacy projects in order to finish strong by 2020.

    He said: “As we celebrate Easter, which of course is the basis of our faith as Christians, I urge Nigerians, particularly Bayelsans, to emulate our Lord Jesus Christ by words and deeds.

    “We must love one another and sacrifice for the common good of Bayelsa State and Nigeria.

    “This country is facing daunting challenges which call for fervent prayers and hard work to surmount.

    “Our Government in the last six years has put Bayelsa State on the path of peace and prosperity. I therefore, solicit the continued cooperation and support of leaders and the people of the state to enable our Restoration Government consolidate on its life-changing legacy projects and finish strong.”

    In his own message, Makarfi said in spite of various challenges, there is still hope for Nigeria.

    Jesus’ death and resurrection, he said, are everlasting reminders that it is possible for Nigeria to overcome its difficult situation and embrace great virtues.

    He asked Nigerians to eschew bitterness and embrace the spiritual legacies of Jesus Christ which can immensely facilitate Nigeria’s peace and progress.

    He sent “warm felicitations and greetings to the Nigerian Christian community, and indeed all Nigerians on this auspicious occasion of the Easter celebrations in memory of the legendary spirit of sacrifice and selflessness espoused and exhibited by Jesus Christ.”

    It is imperative, according to him, that this period be “used by all for meditation and sober reflections on the life and times of Jesus Christ and his sacrifices, with a view to imbibing such virtues as humility, forgiveness, tolerance, good neighbourliness, respect and empathy for others’ feelings as well as love for one another.”

    The Chairman, Senate Committee on Local Content, Senator Solomon Adeola, charged his constituents and Nigerians in general to remain peaceful and exhibit the Christian virtues of sacrifice, love and abiding faith in a better tomorrow as exemplified in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

    Adeola said the season symbolises a new beginning of hope and redemption for all mankind, adding that for all true Christians, the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ means that all challenges confronting individuals and mankind are ultimately surmountable with fervent belief in God.

    The senator said the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ gave mankind hope of a new beginning and a better future, stressing that in spite of enormous challenges confronting the nation, Nigeria is at the threshold of a better tomorrow.

     

  • Dickson earmarks N1bn for road repairs in Jonathan’s local council

    Dickson earmarks N1bn for road repairs in Jonathan’s local council

    Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State has reportedly earmarked N1bn for the repairs of internal roads and other projects in former President Goodluck Jonathan’s council, Ogbia Local Government Area.

    The Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Youths, Mr. Osaanya B. Osaanya, revealed this during a mega solidarity rally in support of the governor.

    Ogbia youths, led by Osaanya, had held a 10,000-man solidarity rally to thank Dickson for the support he had been giving to Jonathan and the appointments of many Ogbia persons in government.

    Osaanya said, “Among other things, Dickson had completed the model school in the area and earmarked N1bn recently for the repair of internal roads in the area. He also commissioned‎ other projects in various communities in the area to demonstrate his love for our people.

    “We want to assure the governor that the youth of the area will continue to support his government and play their part to bring an end to all forms of crime and criminality. Only an atmosphere of peace will attract meaningful development.”

    The youth leader, therefore, urged ‎youths of the area to shun kidnapping, pipeline vandalism and other vices but rather key into the different opportunities that abound by embracing the various empowerment schemes Dickson had introduced.

    Osaanya stated, “We have come out today to appreciate the governor, Seriake Dickson, for what he has been doing for us. It is clear and evident for us to see. Our resolve to thank him is hinged on the fact that he has done well and will still do more.

    “Dickson has in the last six years made Bayelsa a centre of attraction; building significant and legacy projects. We will give him more support and work to maintain peace in Ogbia kingdom.”