Former Bayelsa State Governor and serving Senator, representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District at the Nigerian Senate, on the 3rd of January, 2022 fulfilled his promise to his successor, Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State, that he will retaliate the governor’s earlier ambush at his country home in Toru-Orua on Christmas Eve.
He fulfilled this promise on the 3rd of January accompanied by his Traditional Ruler, top members of the Bayelsa West PDP Elders Caucus and other political associates, business partners and friends. He met a grand reception at Sampour where the indigenes had come to pay homage and show gratitude to the political Engineer who worked to put their son in office.
Speaking earlier while being received by Governor Diri and members of his cabinet, House of Assembly Members and members of various Caucuses of the PDP in the State at the Governor’s country home in Sampour, Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, Senator Dickson said that he and his entourage did not come to quarrel but to celebrate with our dear governor. He said that, when dogs play, you will observe that each one of them will fall for each other for the relationship to be codial.
Senator Dickson said he served Bayelsa State for 8 years and by the grace of God, it came to pass that their own son, Douye Diri succeeded him. Dickson said, it was expedient to give glory to God because Power belongs to Him alone.
Dickson said, himself and the Governor were so happy. He noted that when the opposition APC in the state succeeded first in the election, their plan was to “fight us”. He said he was aware of everything that was going on from his Abuja location. He said; as the Governor is on the seat, he was so happy and that every Ijaw man ought to be happy. Senator Dickson said the Bayelsa State People’s Democratic Party should be happy, and that if not because of God that made it possible for the party to succeed, what would have happened to them?
Senator Dickson, urged Governor Diri to tell his people that, ”even if he was not coming as often as expected, the governor should understand that he prayed fervently before he made him his choice and that Diri should tell his people that they should understand that, he knows fully well that Governor Diri will do well. (Stopped in page 4)
First of all, while making his remarks, Governor Douye Diri requested that, a minute’s silence be observed in honour of their father and leader, Ambassador Lawrence Ekpebor who died on the 2nd of January, 2022.
Speaking further, Governor Diri said, the Ofurumapepe, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, his friend, brother, leader, mentor and father has come to see his son. He said that the elders and traditional rulers, Amayanaweis of Toru-Orua, Ebedebiri, Ayamasa honoured him with their presence in Sampour.
While recalling his earlier ambushing of Former Governor Dickson in his country home in Toru-Orua on the 31st of December, Diri reminisced over how Senator Dickson whispered in his ears that he was going to retaliate.
Diri emphasised that his predecessor had always been instrumental in his political successes and recalled that his first elected position as member of the National Assembly was achieved under the leadership of Dickson.