Bayelsa Liberal Democratic Movement

: Gov. Dickson has scored another big one with the opposition

GOV. DICKSON’S POLITICAL CHESS GAME IN THE LGAs – PERSONALITIES AND EVENTS - Bayelsa Liberal Democratic Movement

During the House of Assembly elections in 2015 the PDP lost in some units and communities it shouldn’t have. We followed the political events in the State then, and it is our analysis that the Governor at that time, handpicked his choice of Assembly candidates as against the will of the people those candidates were supposed to represent, and also against the advice of the Stakeholders. That decision at the end of the Assembly elections, brought embarrassment to the party. This was evident in Kolokuma/Opokuma, Brass and Ogbia.

Party politics is the coming together of various Leaders and faithfuls for a common course; thereby allowing for adequate consultation with Stakeholders in the various units of the State for decisions and other actions.

At the time, and even now it is still not clear why the Governor wanted those persons in the Assembly. It is not like they have the support of the people, or popular for any good track record. Because even with all the support they got by virtue of been handpicked by the Governor, they still lost in their various units , communities and constituencies. So, what was the interest all about in those people...?

Leaders in any democratic settings should be able to listen and even take advice; it is often said that leaders who listen come out better and make good leadership in society, and in all facets. As Bayelsans and liberal democrats, it is our desire to see this Administration finish strong with good legacies to look back on. So, we hope that this government will allow the will of the people to prevail, and not allow its personal interests be its own Achilles heel as is being seen already.

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Having said that, let’s deviate a bit and look into our sub-focal LGA – being Ogbia in these first series of our analysis LGA by LGA. Some events recently took place in Ogbia LGA, and we want to analyse the personalities involved and the message passed. Why Ogbia in retrospect you may be wondering. We cannot politically analyse this Restoration Government and not mention the Ogbia people at one point or the other – they were that instrumental!

In the month of December 2016, the Restoration Government led by HE Governor Dickson decided to give out Xmas welfare package to the party members and supporters in the spirit of the season. This gesture was thought remarkable, especially after the battle that emanated with the opposition party during and after the governorship elections in Ogbia, were the opposition boasted that it will defeat Former President GEJ and his party in his own LGA, same way he was defeated at the National level.

To be honest, the APC meant business and came prepared. Remember Senator Ikisikpo, Nadu Karibo, Azibola Omekwe, Samuel Boy and Richard Ibegu (Badest) who had just left office with economic power, decamped to the opposition. Also others like Sam Ogbuku - Former Chief of Staff, Maxwell Oko, Edi Orubo and Dr. Temple Iluma who at the time was DG BYSACA just to mention a few…

So, it was a well thought out and meaningful decision by the Governor towards the party faithfuls in the LGAs as a way of appreciation, but that of Ogbia took a different direction; according to verified information available to us, the Governor gave clear directive that each of the LGA caucus Chairmen of the Party will chair the disbursement committee, and the Governor’s representatives in all the various LGAs will serve as Secretary.

In the case of Ogbia, Rt Hon. Claudius Enengesi was the Chairman of the committee, and in his usual stead, the Honourable accepted and provided the leadership required, and invited stakeholders to a planning meeting. Information available to us have it that over 70% of the stakeholders attended the meeting, but some who have been known to describe themselves as the “New Face of the Political Leadership in Ogbia” did not attend.

The essence of the meeting was to put together beneficiary lists cutting across all communities and wards in the LGA. Upon conclusion of the meeting, the lists were drawn up sent to the appropriate quarters, and monies were eventually released to the Chairman of the Committee to make provisions for the Xmas Welfare Packages. But shortly after he was given the monies, another directive came and trumped the first, he was directed to return the monies. We learnt afterwards that a new team consisting of Hon. Ibegi, Naomi Ogoli, and the Governor’s representative for Ogbia were appointed to handle the disbursement.

Many in the Ogbia political class saw this as an embarrassment from the Governor to the person of Rt Hon. Enengesi and other respected leaders of the LGA. True, however, we are more concerned with the personalities involved in the whole drama and the message being passed.

Could this “New Face of Ogbia Political Leadership” be the reason why the Governor has abandoned the political leadership that existed prior to now? Same leadership that backed and supported his first and second tenure. Why now? What has smeared their once mutual relationship? All these and more are questions that need answers.

For instance, could Hon. Ibegi be a part of the “New Face of Ogbia Political Leadership”? If yes, that would give credence to some of the boastful remarks he has been known to make. For example, he has been heard in meetings say, “he has won the heart of the Governor and that’s why other Ogbia leaders are envious of him…” and making reference to the Xmas welfare disbursement, he said, “yes! The monies were already released to Enengesi, but my group and I called the Governor and the money was returned to me and my group”. He was also credited with saying that, “the Governor has given me full power to embarrass and deal with all these old politicians in Ogbia”.

Here we are tempted to ask, is Hon. Ibegi a young man? Could it be that the Governor is using one of Ogbia’s own son to create discord within the once united LGA that supported him? What is their crime…

All these when carefully analysed does not portray the Governor in good light, and on a broader scale is not doing the PDP family any good as it will further create divide in the party and encourage enmities, and even decampment.

Question 1:
Is the Governor truly aware of all these? If yes, what could make him encourage such a directive that stands to be interpreted as a slap to the person of Rt Hon. Enengesi, a man who apart from been the PDP Caucus Chairman, also served as the Deputy Director General (Operations) in the Governor Dickson’s Second Tenure Campaign Organisation.

Question 2:
Could it be true as claimed by Hon. Ibegi that the governor has given him and his group “all the powers” to do what they are doing? If yes, to what end…?

Question 3:
What is the political value of these individuals to the governor, to this government, and PDP in the State? Are they sellable? Can they deliver when the chips are down?

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All these questions are pertinent because if political relevancies are based on the strength of the individual, or group to contribute to the system and deliver as well…

Then what chess game is Gov. Dickson playing in the LGAs?

NB: Bayelsa Liberal Democratic Movement is made up of members drawn from all over the State, thereby giving us good insight, and broad knowledge of happenings in all the LGAs. Currently we are analysing political events, eventually we will touch all other aspects of the State.

Stay with us for more insights underway!

ANALYSIS OF THE EMERGENCE OF HSD, HIS 1ST AND ONGOING 2ND TENURE, AND HIS RELATIONSHIP WITH OTHER LEADERS - Izon Egberi-ama

In the year 2012, the politics of Bayelsa State took a different shape, when Bayelsans at the time became tired of the government of the day led by Chief Timipre Sylva, more especially with the activities of the then “Operation Famutagbe” security outfit.

It became pertinent that Bayelsa State needed saving; and so, it was that stakeholders of Bayelsa State gathered with those from Ogbia LGA at the center of sorting out a credible candidate to ensure the smooth takeover of government from the then Chief Timipre Sylva led administration, with Rt Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson from Sagbama LGA as the proposed governorship aspirant.

As fate and destiny may have it, the efforts of the stakeholders involved in the “takeover project”, especially King A. J. Turner who believed in the “Save Bayelsa State” project, the candidature of the proposed aspirant, and was able to convince others to do same, were not put to shame as Rt Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson went on with their support to win the elections (…even though at the time, anyone could have become the candidate under the PDP and still win because of the faith of the people in the party) and was successfully sworn in as Governor of Bayelsa State.

It is important to note here that the actors on stage and those behind the scenes who fought to ensure the victory of the governor, and brought about the restoration dream, all did so at the risks of their lives and that of their families. Also, worthy of note, is how some very dedicated Bayelsans (politicians and technocrats alike) at the time risked their lives and comforts from Abuja, Port Harcourt, Lagos and other parts of the country to attend strategic planning meetings in Yenagoa. And would immediately leave town after such gatherings for fear of their lives and safety. In all of these, it was the Ogbia stakeholders that stayed back to coordinate the processes.

At this point, worthy of special recognition and salutations are the likes of:
1. Hon. Fred Agbedi (...the Director-General, “Dickson Campaign Organisation” who worked tirelessly to deliver on HSD first and second tenure).

2. Hon (Chief) Mitema Obordor (…who at the time was Director, “Mobilisation of the Dickson Campaign Organisation” and the “Operation Save Bayelsa”).

3. King A. J. Turner, who was the first believer in the restoration dream.

4. Deacon James Dugo (...the then Party Chairman who stood despite pressure from all sides not to give ticket to HSD).

5. Mrs. Marrie Ebikake (...who was more than just a woman).

6. Surveyor Akene (...a name that needed to be recognised as far as the Restoration Family is concerned, unfortunately he left to join the opposition party, APC for reasons best known to him).

7. Hon. Fyneman Wilson (...who brought his wealth of experience to bear to ensure victory throughout the elections, and is still working very hard for the system).

Also, worthy of mention is Hon. Dudafa and Dr. Eruani who left the Chief Sylva government to join the restoration team in the background. And many other notable sons and daughters of the State.

After Governor Dickson came into power, three months therein, he made various appointments to put together his cabinet, the administration took off, and registered a lot of successes in the first two years before the finances of the State began to decline.

Even though I feel that the honour given to a man such as King A. J. Turner, who I dare to say is the “Father of the Restoration Government” initiative was not enough; the likes of Late Chief DSP Alamieyesigha, Timi Alaibe and some other notable sons and daughters who fought both in the shadows, and in the open to ensure the victory of the Restoration Government were treated alike too. However it is safe to mention that with all these, there were less blackmails within the PDP as well as the State, not even in Creek Haven as we have them now. And the assumption behind that was because the government ran a ship that appeared closely knitted like a family; leaders from all the various LGAs were respected, listened to and carried along. Appointments were made responsibly, and to merited individuals with good track record and integrity.

In all this, kudos to the Governor who was able to manage all the happenings at the time in the various LGAs in his first four years. He was able to carry almost everybody along one way or the other; even those that “came after the meal had been cooked…”.

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Fast forward to 2015, when Governor Dickson indicated interest to run for a second term. This was the beginning of the many political dramas that plagued our dear State, and I dare say still does; these dramas got so heated that many left the PDP to join other parties in other to actualize their dreams and ambitions – believing that since power had shifted in the center, why not in Bayelsa. And so, they set out to make sure the ride was not an easy one for the PDP.

But again, came the originators of the “Restoration Dream”, those who believed in the restoration vision that it can be done again. And yes, they set out to make it happen again….

But this time, it was not as easy as the first because there was disarray within the party; blackmails and cut throat theatrics had found its way deep into the once united Restoration Family. There were blackmails about those who wanted to contest against the Governor as was alleged within the PDP, and at the end it was clearer about those who really wanted the number one seat.

Again, fast forward to December 2015 and January 2016 when Bayelsans came out en masse and decided their fate, and Governor Dickson once again came out victorious. However, the opposition party, APC with Chief Timipre Sylva took to the Tribunal, Appeal Court, and finally the Supreme Court to challenge the outcome of the elections. And in all three, Governor Dickson and the PDP came out victorious.

It is worthy to note at this point that during the long court battles – contesting the outcome of the elections, the State suffered stagnation developmentally and otherwise. However, after the final victory at the apex court, it was expected that the Restoration Government would swiftly resume its first term developmental strides – deliver on the promised dividends of democracy to the people of Bayelsa State. But this has not been the case…

It has been observed that some political activities currently ongoing in the LGAs if not tackled, could spell the beginning of unrest that could disrupt the enduring political peace and quiet the State has been enjoying thus far. For instance, it was Southern Ijaw LGA the APC pegged as its ace card to winning the gubernatorial elections amidst Federal Might; but the PDP there stood their grounds and ensured that the party took the day. But guess what? The first appointment from that region by the Governor instead of to a PDP faithful, it was to a notable APC supporter, who was appointed Chairman, Bayelsa State Waterways Security.

The decision for this appointment though unclear, has left many in the PDP unhappy – wondering what the Governor’s game plan is. Many PDP supporters have described such appointment as unhealthy irrespective of whatever bargain that may have necessitated it; especially as one of the Governor’s notable quotes during the campaigns was, “…baboon will not work for monkey to chop”. In other words, it is those that labour that will eat of the vineyard. So how does one explain the above appointment…?

Another instance is in Brass LGA were most of the PDP loyalists who before this time have proven their worth and loyalty to the Restoration Family, appears to be suffering one blackmail or the other, and as such have been kept in the dark, or should I dare say made to feel like outcasts! The reasons for these treatments are not exactly clear but at this point your analytic guesses are as good as mine.

One LGA I cannot leave untouched is the Ogbia LGA. As an analyst, I have been following the ever-unfolding political activities in Bayelsa State; and I dare say that Governor Dickson has enjoyed uninterrupted political support and friendship from the Ogbia people than any others in the State. Right from his AD party departure, his days with Green Movement, and later Commissioner for Justice to Attorney-General of the State, all under the Dr. Goodluck Jonathan administration when he was governor of Bayelsa State.

When Governor Dickson indicated interest to contest for the senatorial seat of his district but was not favoured due to ammonization; it was his Ogbia brothers who encouraged him to contest for the House of Representative seat which he eventually won. And when Bayelsa State needed saving and restoring – again his Ogbia brothers in the center of it all picked and backed His Excellency, Rt Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson again to become governor. A decision I consider very selfless of the Ogbia people and all those involved in the process, considering that the west had not produced a governor in the history of the State.

With all these sacrifices, one would expect that the relationship between the Governor and his Ogbia brothers (leaders), who fought and saw to it that he became governor will be nothing short of the kind of affair that exists between a husband and wife – a fruitful relationship. But regrettably, the reverse is the case as have been observed since the wake of his second tenure.

It is no longer secret that the Governor’s once cordial relationship with his Ogbia political brothers, who fought against all odds to see him re-elected for a second term has drastically dwindled. This deteriorated relationship with the Ogbia leaders to be exact does not exclude the Former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan because the Governor is hardly seen to visit Otuoke – the hometown of his should be political father as far as his position is concerned South-South and South of the East.

It is important to most respectfully note here that Dr. Goodluck Jonathan remains the highest-ranking politician of South-South and South-East, and should be given that respect irrespective of party, and his home State is not exempted.

Politics as they say, is “interest-based” and whatever the interests are, it is glaring that a lot is happening in Bayelsa politics than meets the eye. The governor has/is forsaken(ing) those once selfless people (technocrats and politicians alike) who stood by him through thick and thin. The reasons are not exactly clear as to why, but I will continue to observe (…you should too) and will analyse events as they unfold.

However, in my analysis, I want to remind public servants that every political office has an expiration tenure (…as is the case of a Principal that was once a student). Lucky Dube of blessed memories in one of his songs said, “The people you meet on your way up the ladder, you might meet (again) on your way down…”.

This is the way of life and politics…

DEMOCRACY MUST BE GIVEN CHANCE TO SURVIVE, FLOURISH - Daniel Markson Iworiso

Daniel Iworiso-Markson is the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State. In this interview, he speaks on his newly published book: Bayelsa’s Landmark Election: How Dickson Deployed People Power To Defeat Federal Might, and the governor’s administration, among other issues. wale elegbede reports

Question: You recently published a book titled: Bayelsa’s Landmark Election: How Dickson Deployed People Power To Defeat Federal Might. What prompted the book?

By February 14, which is less than six weeks away, the Restoration Government will be marking its one year in office in the second term of Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson as governor of Bayelsa State.

Since he first contested and won the governorship election in 2012, I have been an active participant and close watcher of events, especially the politics of Bayelsa State.

My appointment by Governor Dickson as his Chief Press Secretary only exposed me to greater understanding of the dynamics shaping the politics of the state, which regrettably were to underscore the complex web of intrigues which characterised his reelection in 2016.

As part of the activities lined up to commemorate the anniversary celebration, I have endeavoured to write this book to promote democracy in the country because as the reader would also discover, and corroborated by Governor Dickson convincingly, what took place in Bayelsa was more than an election; it was war.

You will recall that the governor had said after his victory that ‘this election that brought me back for the second term was not just an election. It was more than an election and more like warfare. Getting through it was actually like surviving a war.

We were against a full display of the totality of power at the centre, deployed to the fullest. All elements of national power were displayed to take over Bayelsa by force and my opponent’s campaign was appropriately nicknamed ‘Operation Takeover Bayelsa.’ He called it a ‘takeover mission,’ a tag that appeared innocent at first but in retrospect, we now understand what it meant from day one.

This book is a definitive account of an election where the leadership in government at the centre and its candidate acted out a script that transformed a mere election into a warfare and perpetrated acts of violence against public morality, violation of human rights, kidnapping, shooting, maiming and intimidation under the rubrics of elections.

The ‘Operation Take Over’ slogan of the Federal Government-backed candidate was put to real action but scuttled by the greater will of the people. Before the election, there were reports that the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State was stockpiling weapons to perpetrate violence during the election, but little was done to tackle this concern.

Thus the true account of what happened in the 2016 Bayelsa governorship election and the sordid interplay of some ‘dark forces’ which conspired to make it so painful to us as Nigerians are what is presented in the book for history and posterity.

Question: What are the key lessons you want the public to take away from the book?

Basically, it is to show how the people could help themselves to reject political imposition by being active in the defence of their votes as Bayelsans did by even throwing their bare bodies to challenge armoured tanks on the day of election when it was clear that the army of occupation were desperate to rig the election. Let me state very clearly that democracy is very much on trial across board and it is our collective responsibility as active and patriotic citizens to save the situation because the development of the nation’s democracy has an important relationship with our economic development. Hence, democracy must be given a chance to survive and really flourish.

Likewise, the state must as a matter of fact survive without which there can be no democracy.

As we have seen in the Bayelsa election and even most recently, the Rivers re-run national and state assembly elections, what is clear to the unbiased observer is that the conscious attempt to rig elections caused such unscrupulous activities that resulted into the mayhem in the state. We were helplessly shocked to see such loss of lives and property. But this shouldn’t have been the case in a democracy.

It is an issue which hopefully will continue to be reflected upon by all concerned because of its implication in the advancement of our democracy and mutual co-existence as a people.

This is why we must never allow its recurrence in any part of the country. It is a challenge to our moral and spiritual beings that we as a people should not be involved in this kind of cruel action which was so dehumanizing and unjust against our fellow human beings all in the name of politics. But politics itself is an act meant to serve and not to kill and destroy.

Thus as a civilized act of engagement, it craves for superiority of argument in a peaceful atmosphere and driven by sane and honourable people who are fired into participation because of the common good. This is the irony of our democracy which is bastardised by the elite that only seeks to maintain the interest of the few in society.

Question: Having won the governorship election against all odds, how is the governor settling down to deal with the challenges of governance in an economy that is in recession?

If I get you correctly, the thrust of your question is: Election has now been won and lost but what next? Interestingly, this point was captured in the book. But it is important that we properly situate the philosophical underpinning of the election that Dickson ran on a promise in 2012 but ran on concrete achievement in 2015. His signature projects are everywhere.

In fact, if he decided not to run again in the last election, he could actually say he had already put his footprint on the sands of time in Bayelsa State. Recession or no recession, Governor Dickson is intent on making a difference.

Indeed, he has made such a huge difference in the last four years and it was on the strength of his very impressive and remarkable performance in office in his first term that made Bayelsans to return him back to office for the second time.

You will recall that while presenting his case for re-election, the governor’s focus had been on the need for continuity of his vision for the state.

This takes the form of uninterrupted development in infrastructure, particularly opening up the state through connecting those inaccessible but important locations by roads and bridges.

Thus, he hoped to enhance commerce and civilisation, manpowerdevelopment through his free and compulsory education, scholarships, health, job creation and the very broad plans for the diversification of the state’s economy.

His focal points were such ambitious projects like the Agge Deep Seaport, constructing a road to Brass, investment in power-generation and the eco-industrial park as well as the completion of the airport, among others. He is concerned about spreading prosperity as much as possible and within a short possible period of time.

To him, nothing was impossible with the right vision, dedication and aspiration to make a difference in the lives of the people.

Question: Apart from the book, what other plans are in place to mark the first anniversary of his second term in office?

The book is not even a major part of some of the programmes lined up to commemorate the anniversary celebration.

We simply want to take advantage of the period to introduce the book since we cannot, as it were, gloss over the myriad of telling issues and abuses that characterised the election.

Something must be done by the collective of our people to say never again shall we see such electoral oddities in any part of the country. History will not forgive us if we continue to sweep under the rug those salient issues of that election which obviously have consequence for our national stability and development. However, to answer your question, some of the plans put in place to mark the anniversary is the commissioning of completed projects.

Among the completed projects are the state archives, museum, language centre, new secretariat annexes, the very magnificent new governor’s office complex, the very impressive Government House Hospital Complex. And of course, the pharmaceutical storage and distribution centre as well as the world class Diagnostic and Forensic centre, which has since become functional, being the first of its kind in Africa.

Many won’t dispute the fact that in its first term, the Dickson-led Restoration Government has displayed strong commitment and determination to making a difference in the lives of the people by providing such massive and strategic infrastructure throughout the state. Besides the construction of roads, there are strategically-located bridges in the three senatorial districts.

Equally strategic is the construction of an airport and the emphasis on the Agge Deep Seaport.

In the estimation of Governor Dickson, the successful completion of these two projects would speed up the quest for a diversified and vibrant economy, thereby making oil just one of the sources of income for the state. The airport and seaport would jumpstart the state economy so much in terms of massive job-creation, boom in trade, leading to a huge leap in income for the state and of course a new lease of life for the people.

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The Bayelsa State Environmental Sanitation Authority BESA is informing the public to disregard any person or Individuals parading themselves as officials of the Authority requesting for Sanitation Levy for the year 2017.
The Authority has not started it's revenue drive and will inform the public when ready. Any person or individuals claiming to be sent by the Authority should be considered as criminals and should be arrested.
It is important to take this announcement seriously as failure to do so will mean that you will still pay the Authority its Sanitation Levy when it starts its revenue drive and this will be communicated to the public in due cause. Your cooperation is highly needed. Be warned.

Hon. Chief Robert Ayalla Enogha FNIM
Executive Chairman BESA

Bayelsa teachers lament non-payment of 4 months salaries - http://tribuneonlineng.com/bayelsa-teachers-lament-non-pay…/

TEACHERS in public schools in Bayelsa State, under the auspices of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), on Wednesday, appealed to Governor Seriake Dickson…

TRIBUNE

It should be recalled that less buoyant, yet more populated states like OSUN, KOGI, PLATEAU etc, have conveniently deployed their share of the LONDON and PARIS Clubs' refunds to clear salary backlogs including Pension benefits, one State even when as far as paying the severance allowances of all appointees who served in a previous administration between 2007 and 2011; what justification does the Bayelsa state govt have for still owing it's own workers as much as five (5) months salaries?