ODAHIEKWU OGUNDE, Yenagoa
The immediate former Governor of Bayelsa State, Mr Seriake Dickson, has said that his choice of Governor Douye Diri and his deputy, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, has spared him of moral burden.
The Senator representing Bayelsa West in the National Assembly spoke during a yuletide visit to Ofoni community, country home of Senator Ewhrudjakpo.
Dickson said the visit had no political undertones other than to join the people of Ofoni in celebrating the yuletide.
He thanked them for massively supporting him and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in all his electoral contests since 2007 till date.
Dickson, who described Ofoni as his second home after Toru-Orua, said it was good to be home with the people at the beginning of the year to express his gratitude to them.
He lauded the community for their peaceful disposition and urged them to show more love and support to Governor Douye Diri-led’s government and the PDP for picking their son as the Deputy Governor.
He also praised Senator Ewhrudjakpo for his unwavering loyalty to the Governor and advised him to shun the activities of mischief makers and fifth columnists, whose stock in trade is to cause divisions and strife in the polity.
Dickson, who pointed out that Bayelsa was in safe hands under Governor Diri and his Deputy, Ewhrudjakpo, appreciated God for vindicating him and restoring the stolen mandate of the PDP.
He said: “It is now clear to even those who doubted me when I said I prayerfully selected the pair of Senator Diri and Senator Ewhrudjakpo that I made the right choice. I would have been carrying a heavy moral burden, if I had decided otherwise.
“I know the number of people who called, spoke, advised and fought me saying Kolokuma has no vote. And I replied them saying are they not part of this state? The local government of Major Isaac Boro and others who had served our people?
“If I had taken the easy way out, though the fight would have been easier, but I would have left with some moral burden. I would have been querying myself, oh you didn’t give the governorship to this people, when will they have it?
“I was at the head of the whole thing but as I told people at Sampou, we should always thank God because even the small strength, intellect and indeed everything came from God.”
Also speaking, Ewhrudjakpo expressed gratitude to God for using Governor Douye Diri and Senator Seriake Dickson to bring his political career to limelight.
Ewhrudjakpo said he could not have attained his current position as deputy governor without the role the two leaders played and therefore would remain eternally grateful to them.
He said: “I feel on top of the world that one of the instruments God used to bless me is here to celebrate with us as part of the new year festivities. You all know how God used him and Governor Diri to bring me up to where I am. So, I remain eternally grateful to them.
“As my boss and our distinguished Senator said earlier, we are not here for campaigns. When the time comes, you all know how we do it. We are going to do it again. So there is no need for long talks. Today, is for us to celebrate one another.’
He said although a very short notice was given for the visit, the large turn up by the people of Ofoni Federated Community was a clear proof of their love for Senator Dickson.
Ewhrudjakpo said the people of Ofoni were happy to receive their senator, for not only remembering them but also promoting their interest in every way possible.