Unlike Some Past Govs, Dickson Not Choking Me, Says Diri • Dickson: Don’t Stop Visiting Me After Your Tenure As Gov

Immediate past governor of Bayelsa State and senator representing Bayelsa West senatorial district in the National Assembly, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson is happy that his successor, Senator Douye Diri has been consistent in paying Christmas visits to him in the last three years and wants the governor to sustain the initiative even after leaving office.

This came after Diri visited Dickson to pay homage and declared that unlike what some former governors do to their successors, Dickson has been to him a source of encouragement and support, rather than a tormentor and godfather.

In the neighbouring Rivers State, the immediate past governor, Nyesom Wike is seriously breathing down the neck of his successor, Sim Fubara over claims of political structures. The governor is getting choked to the extent that he nearly shed tears in public some days ago.

But Diri said at the country home of Dickson at Toru-Orua, that his predecessor  was not acting like a political godfather, adding that their relationship remained cordial and unbroken.

His Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, quoted the governor as saying that the unity between himself and the immediate past governor has contributed greatly to the peace and development of the state.

He said: “Today is another day for merriment. You all remember in our first year, we had some challenges. So it was difficult for us to do anything meaningful that year. But from 2021, we instituted this visit and it has continued.

“There can be nothing more refreshing than the fact that we are alive and together today. We all know the history of successors and predecessors in Nigeria but the story in Bayelsa is different.

“From the bottom of my heart, I say thank you for tolerating me and for accepting me. This is the time people want to play godfatherism but you are not doing that. We have worked together and shared a lot in common and I am sure this should be an example.

“In politics, if you do not tolerate and accept people, you will not move forward. Today we are happy because we all worked together as one. We went into the election united.

“Let me again seize this opportunity to thank the people of Bayelsa. You have done well to keep the peace in our state. To all those we might have offended, please forgive us.”

On his part, Dickson had lauded Diri for sustaining the visit since it was initiated three years ago, describing it as refreshing. He said the visit typified brotherliness, love and peace and called on the people to imbibe a similar spirit of togetherness to move the state forward.

His words: “In spite of your tight schedule, you always find time to visit. This is the third time and we appreciate it. With the consent of the leaders here, on January 3, subject to your consent, we will visit you in Sampou.

“This visit is the first after your re-election. Although we had visited to congratulate you, it is still my duty to congratulate you and your able deputy on your resounding victory.

“Our state has made progress due to maturity and brotherliness and it is our hope that the state will continue to be stable

“Let me use this opportunity to thank the good people of our state and everyone who played a role to ensure that the election was credible and violence-free.

“I thank you all for coming. This tradition is good and I believe it should go on even after your next four years.”