Anthony Iwuoma
Immediate past Governor of Bayelsa State, Seriake Dickson, has congratulated his successor, Douye Diri, on the verdict of the Supreme Court, confirming him as the properly nominated candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2019 gubernatorial election in the state.
Justice Bode Rhoded-Vivour of the apex court had dismissed a suit filed by Timi Alaibe, challenging Diri’s emergence as the candidate of the PDP in last year’s governorship election after Alaibe withdrew the case.
However, the former governor and senatorial hopeful in a statement by his media advisor, Fidelis Soriwei, on Tuesday, said that the development would enable Governor Diri to concentrate on effectively executing the people’s mandate given to him without distraction.
Dickson said: “Having been at the forefront of the politics of the state for over two decades and occupied sensitive positions including being the first two-term Governor, and also being the one God used to midwife Bayelsa’s first-ever transition to select the Governor and his Deputy, this historical verdict is again a personal vindication and another show of God’s boundless mercy and grace for me as imperfect as I am.
“My role from henceforth is to guide and provide advice when that advice is needed. I thank the leaders of the PDP and the delegates whose votes are now being vindicated today. I thank the national leadership of the party for their support. I join Governor Diri in saying there are no victors or losers. I thank the Supreme Court and their Lordships.”