I requested that the late Dep Gov accompany Diri to APC, Dickson.I deserted out of personal conviction, and there was no intention to impeach Ewhrudjakpo.
By Emem Idio and Samuel Oyadongha
YENAGOA —On Monday, Bayelsa State Governor Senator Douye Diri and his predecessor, Senator Seriake Dickson, who currently represents Bayelsa West Senatorial District, exchanged subtle jabs regarding the former’s defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the late deputy governor’s reluctance to join him.
Speaking from his country home in Toru-Orua in the Sagbama Local Government Area, Dickson recalled the life and times of the late deputy governor. He said that he had asked Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, the late deputy governor, to join his boss in the APC, but he had told him that the spirit of his fathers would not permit it because it was wrong.
Dickson asserts that only a guy of integrity, such as Ewhrudjakpo, who was brought up with the proper ideals and was not motivated by financial gain, would be steadfast in refusing such offers to defect.
Speaking on Monday night at the January edition of the monthly Praise Night in Government House, Governor Diri made a subtle allusion when he said that politics is dynamic and that politicians should learn to embrace change for the benefit of the people they represent.
“There is no static nature in politics because we have alignments and realignments,” the governor said in a statement released on Tuesday by his chief press secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah. We are in politics because of the growth and advancement of our state.
“I don’t merely make choices. l consult, l pray and my spirit tells me where l should go.
The majority of you are aware of my political trajectory. From one celebration to another, I’ve gone. I left the National Solidarity Movement, and we switched to the PDP and subsequently the Labour Party while the party was in decline.
“I was invited to rejoin the PDP after realizing we had reached a dead end in the Labour Party. I might not have been elected governor today if I hadn’t moved.
Therefore, movement is permitted in politics. It’s acceptable to switch sides, but only if you truly believe in it. Don’t serve somebody as a slave. The next person’s destiny is not the same as yours.
“Go ahead and follow that individual if you are still convinced. However, politics is dynamic. There are alignments and realignments in political science. The advancement of our state is the reason we are involved in politics.
After his late deputy defected to the APC, Diri reiterated that there was no issue with him. He clarified, however, that Ewhrudjakpo eventually apologized and consented to drop the lawsuit, and that he had not told him before appearing in court out of concern for impeachment.
“If I did not approve of it, no one could have impeached him (Ewhrudjakpo),” he declared.
“Lawrence, consider his most recent political move: telling Governor Diri that if Ofuruma Pepe (himself), who elevated him to that position, is not quitting the Peoples Democratic Party, or PDP, my boss, please be patient with me. I have heard your reasons, and we are not at odds. I can’t fight you, but please be patient with me. I’m your deputy, but I can’t look at Dickson, and my conscience cannot accept that the party that gave me the platform to this point.”
“We went to court after they rigged us out,” he added. Dickson battled, thank God. I am unable to attend that celebration. That man is the only one who was brought up with moral principles. Lawrence was brought up with moral principles and matured to the point where upholding morality took precedence above short-term inconvenience.
When you have leaders at that level, you can see how society advances. We will end up with a society of mercenaries, which is what Nigeria is becoming, if every leader makes decisions based on what they stand to gain today, based on the amount of food on their table, rather than principled leadership, which says, “No, I go by what is right, what is fair, just, and what is good and what my conscience can defend.”
The majority of Bayelsa residents are unaware that I invited Lawrence to attend APC. I told him, “Your ticket is joint, so go with your governor.” I informed him that your boss had come to brief me and that we had met. If he has made that decision for personal reasons, then follow his lead.
Lawrence turned to face me and asked, “Sir, how can I go if you are not with us?” That isn’t right, in my opinion, and I don’t think his conscience or even his father’s spirit will permit it.
In his homage, former President Goodluck Jonathan mentioned that in addition to a life of service, politicians should learn about Ewhrudjakpo’s political philosophies. The previous president, in my opinion, also signified a life of conviction and dedication to ideals. However, I’m not saying defection is bad.
