The Bayelsa Good Governance Initiative has called on the senators, reps and political leaders from the state
to emulate the principled nature and bold activities of the Senator representing Bayelsa West, Chief Henry Seriake Dickson.
The Coordinator of BGGI, Mr. Epipadei Lawyer, said in a statement on Saturday that Senator Dickson’s action have shown his continuous passion and commitment to the cause of the entire Bayelsa, the Ijaw nation and indeed the Niger Delta.
He said that others should take a cue from the Senator and begin to look beyond the restrictive confines of their senatorial boundaries to focus on issues that will benefit the entire Bayelsa and the Ijaw nation as Senator Dickson has always done.
Lawyer commended Dickson for the mature intervention when the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, Mr Simbi Wabote, was summoned by the Senate.
He said that Dickson’s intervention was in the interest of the state and the Ijaw irrespective of party affiliation.
He said that the BGGI’s observation of the events of the day showed that Senator Dickson’s contributions during the deliberations promoted the interest of Bayelsa because a negative statement emanating from the Senate wouldn’t have meant well for Mr. Wabote.
Lawyer stated further that Dickson’s continuing support for the promotion of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, and the management team led by Col. Dixon Dikio (retd) as a prominent member of the Senate Committee on Niger Delta and his support for the clearance of the Independent National Electoral Commission nominee from the State, Prof. Gumus, who is not from his senatorial district is worthy of emulation.
“The BGGI has observed with keen interest the activities of former Governor Henry Seriake Dickson, since he got to the Senate. We have seen how he has has continued to project and protect the interest of the state, the Ijaw nation, and even the Niger Delta in critical issues in the Senate.
“For instance, it would have been convenient for him to join others to destroy the Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, if he were to follow the political affliation but he didn’t.
“It is also worthy of note that Senator Dickson’s stout defence of Prof Gumus left the Senate with no better option than to clear her.
“It is in view of this that the Ijaw nation should speak with him to retain his position In the Senate even if he doesn’t not intend to. He is a voice that cannot be ignored and the Ijaw nation needs him now more than ever before.
“We are particularly interested in his proactive intervention during the Senate proceedings when the NCDMB Executive Secretary, Mr Simbi Wabote, was summoned by the Senate to brief it on the raging controversy involving the Executive Secretary of the commission.
“We admire this courage and attitude which sees representation beyond senatorial boundaries and even party lines.
“What we need at this difficult time is effective cooperation among our people, our representatives and senators at the National Assembly irrespective of party affiliation.
“We call on others to emulate Dickson who has distinguished himself
as a reliable defender and voice of our people all these years .