The governorship election in Bayelsa state which will be holding on December 5, is clearly a contest between powerful political forces.
One of the contestants is the incumbent governor, Seriake Dickson, who is keenly interested in seeking reelection under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party.
Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa state
Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa state was born on 28th day of January, 1966 in Toru-Orua Town of Sagbama local government area of Bayelsa state. He became governor on February 14, 2012.
Below are some controversies which the Dickson has been involved in.
1. Frequent travels outside the state:
In 2013, the governor was criticized over his frequent trips outside the state and the country. They lamented that the governor was always in Abuja or somewhere abroad instead being around to govern the state. The opposition party advised him to sit and do the business of governance the electorate voted for. They have even labelled him a junketer.
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However, the governor through his chief press secretary, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, denied being a junketer saying the claim was a lie and mischievous.
2. The appointment of former First Lady, Patience Jonathan as permanent secretary:
Dickson had come under harsh criticisms after he included her name in the list of 19 public servants appointed permanent secretaries on July 11, 2012. Many Nigerians had wondered why the governor would appoint someone and place her on salary when it was clear she was not available to discharge the responsibility of her office. Some accused him of taking political sycophancy too far.
Responding his critics, Dickson said her appointment was in recognition of her services to the state and nation, coupled with the fact that she was on a directorate level officer in its civil service.
She however, resigned her position in 2014 and sources said it was due to “irreconcilable differences with Governor Dickson”.
3. Dickson led thugs to attack court:
Seven months back, a video surfaced showing the governor, dressed in traditional Ijaw blazers, leading a gang of thugs to attack a Federal High Court in Bayelsa. They reportedly walked in chanting “we no go gree, for this state, e no possible.”
In the video, Governor Dickson was clearly seen storming the place, and at the end of the attack, leaving the court accompanied by thugs and police officers.
However, Daneil Iworiso, the governor’s spokesman, claimed Dickson did not lead any gang to the court, describing the video as photoshopped.
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He fell out of favour with Patience Jonathan:
The relationship between the former first lady and Dickson was a sour one for a long time. She was said to have demonstrated her enmity with the governor during the burial ceremony of President Goodluck Jonathan’s younger sister, Nancy Jonathan-Olei in Otuoke, Ogbia by refusing to have handshakes with him. She also reportedly shunned Dickson during her husband, Goodluck Jonathan’s 57 birthday.
However on September 2, Patience announced her decision to reconcile with Dickson directing all her loyalists in the state to work selflessly for his re-election.
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