Isaac Ombe, Yenagoa
Ending his fours year tenure on good note with the victory at the just concluded gubernatorial elections, Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has sought for forgiveness from those he might have offended.
Governor Diri made the remarks when he paid his usual Christmas visit to his predecessor in office, Sen. Seriake Dickson at Toru-Orua, in Sagbama Local Government Area of the state, on Wednesday.
The governor also lauded Sen. Dickson for not playing the role of ‘godfather’ even as he handed the reign of leadership to him.
But Sen. Dickson saw the visit as a sign of love, peace and brotherliness between the two.
In the words of Governor Diri, “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”.
Governor Diri who commended the exemplary character of Sen. Dickson, noted that the former governor didi not act like a political godfather, stressing that their relationship remained cordial and unbroken.
According to him, since handing over the reigns of power to him in 2020, the former governor has supported him and had not been overbearing.
He added that the unity between himself and the immediate past governor, who now represents Bayelsa West in the Senate, has contributed greatly to the peace and development of the state.
Recalling their long-standing relationship from their days in the Ijaw National Congress (INC) and as commissioners during the Dr. Goodluck Jonathan administration in the state, Governor Diri expressed the optimism that the bond would remain strong.
“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”, said Senator Diri who expressed gratitude to Dickson for his role in his emergence as his successor and also for his support in the November 11 governorship election in the state.
He stressed the need for unity among leaders and the people of the state while assuring that his second tenure will be dedicated to moving Bayelsa to greater heights.
In his remarks, Sen. Dickson who lauded Governor Diri for sustaining the visit since it was initiated three years ago, describing it as refreshing.
Dickson said the visit typifies brotherliness, love and peace and called on the people to imbibe a similar spirit of togetherness to move the state forward.
While congratulating Diri on his electoral victory, Dickson commended him for his achievements in office and expressed confidence that he will do more during his second tenure.
His words: “In spite of 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, it is still my duty to congratulate you and your able deputy on your resounding victory.
“Our state has made progress due to maturity and brotherliness and it is our 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 to ensure 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.”