Dickson: I advised Late Bayelsa Deputy Governor to join APC

Nathan Tamarapreye, Yenagoa

Former Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Seriake Dickson, has revealed that the late Deputy Governor of the state, Dr Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, remained loyal to him until his death, despite advice to align politically with Governor Douye Diri.

Dickson made the disclosure on Monday during a live interview aired on several radio stations across Bayelsa State. He said Ewhrudjakpo declined his suggestion to join Governor Diri in the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the interest of political stability in the state.

According to Dickson, Ewhrudjakpo believed that joining the APC without him, his political mentor, would amount to betrayal, and therefore chose to remain in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

“Governor Diri discussed his plan to leave the PDP for the APC with me several times, and I did not see any merit in it. When he eventually left, I advised Lawrence to join the governor in the interest of the political stability of the state, which I have worked to build over the past 15 years,” Dickson said.

He added: “Lawrence told me he could not abandon the PDP, which gave him the platform, to join the APC—a party the PDP contested against and won—while his political mentor remained in the PDP.”

Dickson recalled that he first noticed Ewhrudjakpo’s strong sense of loyalty in the late 1990s, when he met him during his law practice after Ewhrudjakpo consulted him as a lawyer.

Despite political differences with Governor Diri, Dickson said he would continue to support the Diri-led administration until the governor completes the remaining two years of his second term.

He also stated that he has no regrets about backing Douye Diri and Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo as governor and deputy governor, noting that the duo worked together harmoniously.

The former governor condemned the intense lobbying and political manoeuvring for Ewhrudjakpo’s replacement even before his burial on January 30.

Dickson stressed that the responsibility of nominating a replacement deputy governor rests solely with Governor Diri.

“There is no contention over who should nominate a replacement for the late deputy governor,” he said.

“Even though I produced the governor and his deputy, I have not interfered with the government or sought any favours.

“For the past six years, I have not put Governor Diri under any pressure, and I will maintain that stance for the remaining two years.”

He added that Governor Diri had not discussed the replacement of Ewhrudjakpo with him, noting that any such discussion would only take place if the governor deemed it necessary. “It is entirely at his discretion as governor,” Dickson said.