Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has commended his predecessor, former Governor Seriake Dickson, for his exemplary character.
Diri, who commended Dickson while speaking at Toru-Orua, Dickson’s hometown in Sagbama Local Government Area of the state, during his usual Christmas visit on Wednesday, said his relationship with the former governor remains cordial and unbroken, saying the former governor does not act like a political godfather.
According to the governor, in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, since leaving office in 2020, the former governor has supported him and has not been overbearing.
Diri further explained that the unity between himself and the immediate past governor had contributed greatly to the peace and development of the state.
The governor who remembered their relationship from their days in the Ijaw National Congress and as commissioners during Dr Goodluck Jonathan’s administration in the state, expressed optimism that the bond will remain strong.
He further expressed gratitude to Dickson, who currently represents Bayelsa West in the Senate, for his role in his emergence as the governor and also for his support in the November 11 governorship election in the state.
Giving assurance that his second tenure will be dedicated to moving the state to a greater height, the governor expressed the need for unity among leaders and the people of the state.
“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,” Diri said.
Senator Dickson on his part, hailed Diri for sustaining the visit since it was initiated three years ago, describing it as refreshing.
He said the visit typifies brotherliness, love and peace while calling on the people to imbibe a similar spirit of togetherness to move the state forward.
Dickson who also congratulated Diri on his electoral victory, commended him for his achievements in office and expressed confidence that he would do more during his second tenure.
He said, “Despite 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, I still must congratulate you and your able deputy on your resounding victory. Our state has made progress due to maturity and brotherliness and we 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 in ensuring 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.”
