Lessons From Edo Election: End Disrespect Towards Dickson Now, Ijaw Renaissance Network Warns Gov Diri

The Ijaw Renaissance Network (IRN) has urged Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Duoye Diri, to reflect on the Edo State governorship election outcome and end his disrespect towards Senator Seriaki Dickson, who played a crucial role in his governance.

In an open letter, IRN leaders Chief Timi Samson and Comrade Joseph David emphasized the need for Diri to distance himself from sycophants who fail to remind him of Dickson’s contributions to his political career.

They also urged him to end “betrayal and badmouthing” against Dickson, a vocal lawmaker on Niger Delta issues and restore cordial relationships with him going by how he supported him despite having more qualified candidates in the race.

IRN cited the Edo election, where Governor Godwin Obaseki’s backed candidate lost despite vast resources, contrasting with Diri’s reliance on Dickson’s support.

The group said its main concern, “Is for Senator Diri to distance himself from sycophants. Those people who will not remind him of how Senator Dickson consistently appointed him into top government offices that included those of deputy Chief of Staff, and helped you get elected as a Member, House of Rep and Senator.

“We demand an end to continued betrayal, badmouthing and treachery against Senator Dickson, who has remained the most vocal lawmaker on the floor of the Senate on issues concerning the entire Niger Delta. We also want a return of the cordial relationship that led Dickson to pick Diri ahead of others in positions of power”, they further added.

The group said that their reason for tagging the outcome of Edo State election and the scenario in Bayelsa is that, “Though the state governor, Dr. Godwin Obaseki’s, gave his total backing to the PDP candidate; Dr. Asue is a billionaire who came loaded with his vast business contacts. Yet he lost the elections, with the APC candidate declared winner.

“Reverse is the case in Bayelsa as Diri could not afford the ticket, which prompted the former governor to purchase the governorship form for Diri, when he did not have the resources for it.

“Sadly, Diri is now seen as the combined Ganduje of Bayelsa and Godwin Obaseki of Bayelsa, as he has abandoned and betrayed everyone that made him governor..

“Today, he gleefully calls himself the miracle governor, but deliberately forgets to acknowledge the miracle worker; and those who were part of the miracle working team!

“The state university located in Dickson’s community has been largely ignored as all infrastructure in the campus remain the way Dickson left it.

“Yet Diri ensures that only his family members and rumour mongers from his Kolojuma – Opokuma local government area, were he struggled to win with a slim margin, are those he listens to, and that are benefiting with juicy contracts”, the group added.

They further noted that, “It is not honourable for the oldest governor that has ruled Bayelsa to be seen as deceit, betrayal, arrogance and greed; and lacking in any iota of vision that leaders are associated with.

“You cannot jettison, humiliate, blackmail and rubbish those that brought you from political oblivion soon as you get what you want from them and expect karma not to play its role in due time.

“We were aware that before reelection, you ran to leaders, when you realized that Bayelsans were not for your coming back, you promised and pretended to be a loyal son. But soon after the election you unveiled your true self.

“The whole country knows how the former governor, now the Senator representing Bayelsa West Senatorial district, fought everyone and abandoned more qualified people to make you governor.

“Soon as you became governor you turned your back and have been playing your usual card of blackmail, bad mouthing and betrayal to the surprise of all. But for Dickson’s kind of politician, Bayelsa State would have been in turmoil like what is obtainable in Rivers. State.

“Do not forget so soon also that even without the APC elders in Bayelsa and at the Federal level, you almost lost your re-election, as you won with only 20, 000 votes; also thanks to Senator Dickson, who came in and mobilized needed supports despite you betrayal.

“Enough of serial betrayal. Your activities in the last four years proves that you have no focus and direction; you go everywhere and agree with everybody and no one trusts you”, they warned.