Dickson Versus Bayelsans
2 min read
The 2019 governorship election didn’t appear as though it was contested between Senator Douye Diri and Chief David Lyon or between the PDP and the APC, but between Dickson and the rest of Bayelsans.
During the build up to the gubernatorial polls, Bayelsans at all levels resolved to pay Dickson back in his own coin. The average civil servant had his own grouse against governor Dickson, either for none implementation of thier promotion allowances, none payment of salary arrears or salary cuts.
Civil servants, who were allegedly unlawfully sacked from service had since laid siege with their PVCs, patiently waiting for the day of retaliation.
One significant aspect of the Bayelsa state governorship election was that unlike before, the people were not ready to mortgage their future with peanuts being dangled by politicians. They voted their conscience.
Retirees were equally not left out. Retired elders who were allegedly beaten up about two years ago in front of government by thugs suspected to be hired by government officials for peacefully protesting none payment of their gratuities had been nursing their anger which they vowed to unleash on whoever the governor may project to succeed him.
Moreover, not many tertiary students of Bayelsa origin were happy with governor Dickson for refusing to pay their bursary all through his administration which is already winding up.
Meanwhile, the state chairman of the Civil Liberties Organization (CLO), Alabo Nengi James-Eriworio who spoke to TNN on the sidelines of the moral lessons from the just concluded governorship election, said leaders at all levels should learn to have passion for humanity.
“A leader must not be so arrogant. A leader must learn to carry his own people along. To lead people in Bayelsa state, you must wear jeans and t-shirt. You must understand the job you are called to do.
“Many people who find themselves in the position of leadership are not sincere to the people they are leading. They are only interested in what they get,” he concluded.
