The launch of the Nigeria Democratic Congress has sparked controversy in Bayelsa State with the South South Reawakening Group (SSRG) accusing Senator Seriake Dickson of pursuing personal ambition at the expense of the state’s development.
This controversy is coming days after the party was launched in Abuja with Dickson in attendance.
In a press conference on Wednesday, SSRG Convener, Joseph Ambakederimo, alleged that the NDC was formed to aid Senator Dickson’s bid for a third term in the Senate, adding that such would distract Governor Douye Diri’s governance and pitch Bayelsans against one another.
“The NDC is dead on arrival in Bayelsa State and even across the region. It’s a clear design to distract governance, alter the peace, and serve Senator Dickson’s personal interests,” Ambakederimo said.
Ambakederimo claimed that Senator Dickson had benefited from an unwritten agreement and was now trying to destroy it to further his own ambitions.
The group urged Senator Dickson to reconsider and support Diri’s development efforts, citing his role in bringing the governor to power.
Ambakederimo questioned the timing of the NDC’s launch, saying it was a retrogressive step that would cause crisis and distraction in the state.
He also criticised Senator Dickson for abandoning the Peoples Democratic Party and accused him of using the NDC to further his own senatorial ambitions.
He said the NDC would become a mere dot in Nigeria’s political party trajectory and urged Bayelsans to discountenance the call to join the party.
Ambakederimo said, “The launch of Nigeria Democratic Congress political party founded by Senator Henry Seriake Dickson a few days ago is borne out of malice and deep animosity against political actors in the Bayelsa West Senatorial District, including Governor Douye Diri, perceived to be standing against his bid to return to the Nigeria Senate for a third term.
“For the benefit of the Bayelsa people who may not understand what is at stake; the Bayelsa West Senatorial district seat is what is at stake and nothing more. A man who has benefited from the unwritten agreement is the one now trying to destroy the same agreement that has propelled him to the Senate and wants to continue to perpetuate himself.
”The NDC is dead on arrival in Bayelsa State and even across the larger region. The NDC will have no place in Bayelsa political space as there are no justifiable reasons given for the formation of the group but a clear design to distract governance in the state, to alter the peace that the state is presently enjoying and pitch Bayelsan against one another. One man’s ambition should not be allowed to ignite chaos in the state.
“We need elder statesmen and women speak out and caution trouble makers to desist from the unholy path they are about to embark on. Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, a very respectable individual should have a rethink and join hands with Governor Douye Diri and continue with the overall development of the state in the positive path that is evolving. As much as we hold Senator Henry Dickson on a very high esteem, we should also not fail to admonish him when there are tendencies of him making mistakes,” he said.
However, Publicity secretary, NDC Bayelsa State chapter, Amb Prince Mac-Ake described the accusation by the SSRG as unfortunate, saying the group is faceless and not known to the law.
He added, “I called on the public not to be distracted by any press statement from people who have no understanding of Bayelsa politics.
“As it stands now, our national leader in the NDC, Senator Seriake Dickson, has not told us as a party that he’s seeking another term in the Senate. However, if he chose to go, there is no law stopping him at this material time in the history of National Assembly.
“A man Seriake Dickson is a man to reckon with. Nigerians are praising his doggedness on how he address national issues of governance and equity and justice in the national assembly; one will begin to wonder why will people from Bayelsa State, instead of running around a man full of character and wisdom to give him the needed support, they chose to throw tantrums at him coming up with the issue of zoning that’s not known to the law. Let it be clear that NDC believes in peace, justice and democracy.”
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).