…hails judiciary’s courage in promoting Nigeria’s democracy
Immediate past Bayelsa State governor, Chief Henry Seriake Dickson, has congratulated his successor, Senator Douye Diri and Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, on Tuesday’s verdict of the Supreme Court affirming them as the duly nominated candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party in the November 16, 2019 governorship election in the state.
The former governor, in a statement by his Media Advisor, Mr. Fidelis Soriwei, on Tuesday, said that with the bold verdict of the Supreme Court on the pre-election matter, Governor Diri could now focus on the effective execution of the mandate given to him by the Bayelsa people without any distraction.
Dickson commended the five-man panel of the Supreme Court led by Justice Olabode Rhodes-Vivour for being firm and courageous in defence of the truth, justice and democratic governance in the country.
He said that the Supreme Court and the respected justices had proved beyond doubt that the apex court remained the reliable hallowed temple of justice.
The ex-Bayelsa governor also congratulated the leadership of the PDP at the national and state levels as well as the party’s teeming supporters for their prayers and support.
He said that the verdict of the Supreme Court was a victory for democracy, Bayelsa State and indeed the entire Ijaw nation.
Dickson called on Chief Timi Alaibe, who he described as “a brother, friend and respected leader in Bayelsa and the Ijaw nation,” to join him and other leaders to galvanise support for Governor Diri to enable him to achieve his prosperity agenda for Bayelsa without any further distractions.
He stated that power comes only from God and Diri’s emergence and the support he received from him could only be traceable to God, who is the source of political power and leadership.
Dickson thanked the good people of Bayelsa for retaining their faith in the PDP and urged them to give the requisite support to the Diri Administration.
He added that Bayelsa remained a PDP-controlled state and would continue to remain so as shown by the existing unity within the party in the state, stressing that while it is normal to have disputes in politics, such disagreements should be resolved without bloodshed or violence, in consonance with civilised practice.
The former Governor noted that political disputes should come to an end after elections while urging all the leaders of Bayelsa to leave distractive politics and join the “miracle Governor.”
Dickson said, “Having being in the forefront of the politics of the state for over two decades and occupied sensitive positions, including being the first two term governor and also being the one God used to midwife Bayelsa’s first ever transition, to select the governor and his deputy, this historical verdict is again a personal vindication and another show of God’s boundless mercy and grace for me as imperfect as I am. My role from henceforth is to guide and provide advice when that advice is needed.
“I thank the leaders of the PDP and the delegates, whose votes are now being vindicated today. I thank the national leadership of the party for their support. I join Governor Diri in saying there are no victors or losers. I thank the Supreme Court and their Lordships.”