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… Says Nobody Should Jump The Gun To Replace Late Bayelsa’s D’Gov
Bayelsa State former Governor and Senator representing the Western Senatorial district of the State, Henry Seriake Dickson has said he chose to keep h in s distance from interfering in the administration of the State Governor, Senator Douye Diri since he left office for peace to reign in the state.
He also noted that the decision of non-interference forms part of his broader principles as a politician and human, allaying fears that the governor and himself were not on terms.
The lawmaker stated this in his home town, Toru Orua, Sagbama Local Government Area of the State while speaking in a live broadcast programme on Bayelsa-based media organizations, saying the essence of the broadcast was to thank the State Government and others who participated in the funeral ceremonies of the late Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.
Senator Dickson described the passage of the deputy governor whom he said was his friend and mentee for over three decades as painful and devastating, noting however that the late Senator Ewhrudjakpo lived a life marked by service to humanity, the state and the nation with humility, patriotism, hardwork, loyalty and the fear of God.
He said: “Bayelsa is lucky to have had good Deputy Governors. From President Jonathan who was Deputy Governor to the late Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha through my own Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral John-Jonah to the late E-Lawrenzi(that’s how I use to call the late deputy governor, Lawrence Ehrudjadkpo).
“As a State we’ve had committed, loyal and hardworking deputy governors. I paired Diri and Ewhrudjakpo from day-one as Governor and Deputy in 2019 because I knew the capacity of both of them, especially that of E-Lawrenzi who was my Commissioner for Works.
“It’s not everybody that can be a Deputy Governor. Most people in Bayelsa today are the Gen-z children and so don’t know and won’t understand what Goodluck Jonathan did as a Deputy Governor during his time. But President Jonathan himself said in his tribute that he thought he tried as Deputy Governor but E-Lawrenzi did far more than him.
“I want to thank the Government and people of Bayelsa State and others from all walks of life who came in their numbers to sympathize as well as participate in the funeral of the late Deputy Governor”.
He added: “For those who are desirous of seeing quarrels and fights between Governor Diri and I they’ll continue to be disappointed. I’ve decided to distance myself from his Government since leaving office so to respect myself and legacies.
“You’ll recall that since leaving office six years ago, the first time I visited Government House was when my friend and mentee, E-Lawrenzi died. And what took me there was to go and commiserate with the Governor and people of the State.
“I’ve not influenced any appointments in the Diri’s Government to anybody or group of people since I left office as Governor. Nobody can even say I’ve influenced one contract or the other somewhere for anybody.
“All you’ve heard are propaganda and one rumour or the other. But I don’t mind, I know our people. And I know their style. Though I’m swallowing a lot to let peace reign in Bayelsa so that we won’t see what some states are experiencing”.
In a related development, the Bayelsa ex-Governor and federal lawmaker has warned politicians against early lobbying to replace the late Deputy Governor, saying it is customary and humane that upon his obsequious ceremonies that consultations are done meticulously for a replacement.
He noted that: “It’s saddening to note that just when we heard that the deputy governor was dead, some people without waiting for him to be mourned and buried started lobbying to replace him. Why must someone take delight in the death of another man.
‘Don’t forget that you maybe alive one minute and the next minute you’re no more. At least customarily every responsible person who so wishes to be appointed as deputy governor should wait for the burial of the late deputy governor before anything.
“It’s the prerogative of the Governor to appoint a new deputy. But if after consulting others and he so feels I’m one of those he should consult then no problem. But I’m not and will never influence the appointment of anybody as Deputy Governor.
“No politicians should jump the gun to seek for his or her appointment as a replacement of the late Deputy Governor, E-Lawrenzi”.
