Governor Dickson (centre), supported by his wife, Rachael (right), with the victory sign, shortly after being sworn in, while the State Chief Judge, Justice Kate Abiri (left), looks on. Photo by Lucky Francis

Ayorinde Oluokun/Okafor Ofiebor

Thousands of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) supporters on Sunday stormed Samson Siasia Sports complex, Yenagoa, the venue of the inauguration and Thanksgiving ceremony of Governor Seriake Dickson for another term of four years in office.

They include serving and former PDP governors, legislators at the federal and state levels, traditional rulers, captains of Industry, traditional rulers

Dressed in blue traditional attire, Dickson restated his commitment to security of lives and property of the people in the state.

From left: Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose; Governor Yesom Wike Rivers State; Governor Ifeanyi Okowa , Delta State; his wife, Dame Edith, during the inauguration of the Gover nor of Bayelsa State Hon Seriake Dickson in Yenegua

He called for the collaboration of relevant security agencies. While expressing dismay over the violence that trailed the conduct of the governorship election in the state, Dickson said now that the election was over, it was high time members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) put aside their political differences and join the Restoration Government in its efforts to rebuild the state.

He said, “I respect your right to hold different views. Your participation in the process made this contest more vibrant and our victory more worthwhile and legitimate. Yesterday, we were opponents; today, we must be partners for the security, development and prosperity of Bayelsa State. I now invite you all to join me in this enterprise of consolidating the gains of restoration. Let us work together to move our state forward.

Minority Leader, Leo Ogor and former Minister of Niger Delta Affiars, Dr. Steve Oru at the event

“I salute the leaders and members of the opposition majority of who are already amenable to this new thinking of building a united and prosperous Bayelsa. In the nearest future, we shall be convening an all-Bayelsa Summit to discuss our common challenges, aspirations and the way forward. Arising there-from, we should be in the vanguard of leading our region to engage our brothers in the Nigeria Project, and to build a stronger and more egalitarian country.”

On the need for the sustenance of the existing peace in the state, the Governor submitted that, this is the only way to attract foreign and local investors to the state, adding that, this could only be achieved through the collaboration of stakeholders, including security operatives.

He warned the government officials both at at state and federal levels against the use of their positions to encourage crime and criminality under any guise.

Security officials at federal or state levels should not be afraid to execute their statutory functions for fear of retribution. Nobody, regardless of political persuasion should be allowed to subvert national institutions or undermine the security and stability of the state or the nation.

From left; Governors Fayose, Wike, Ikpeazu, Okowa (and his wife, Dame Edith)

“Our experience in Bayelsa State in the recent past has shown a tendency to misconstrue membership of the political party at the center as cover and license to kill, maim and destroy while security officials look on helplessly. Let us not allow partisanship to slide our country into anarchy. The consequences will be too grave”, Dickson said.

State governors in attendance were Ayodele Fayose, (Ekiti), Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, (Delta), Nyesom Wike (Rivers), Chief Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Emmanuel Udom, (Akwa-Ibom). Alhaji Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo (Gombe) and Darius Ishiaku (Taraba).

Other dignitaries include former governors of Borno State, Alhaji Ali Modu Sheriff, Anambra state (Dr. Peter Obi) and former Deputy governor of Sokoto state, Alhaji Mukhtar Shagari.

The list also includes former Senate President, Senator Adolphus Wabara; governorship candidate of Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM), Moses Siloko Siasia, Lagos PDP governorship candidate, Jimi Agbaje, former Deputy governor of Bayelsa State, Rt. Hon. Peremobowei Ebebi, members of the State House of Assembly, traditional rulers and the clergy.

Pastor Doutimi Amatari, in his sermon, described Governor Dickson’s victory as divine, submitting that, he was able to overcome the federal might that never recognised that, there is God in heaven, who rules over the affairs of men.

He stressed that the thanksgiving has three dimensions; yesterday, today and tomorrow, adding that, tomorrow is determined by what people do with God today, through thanksgiving.