Politics
Dickson Warns Against Political Violence
Bayelsa State Governor, Hon Seriake Dickson, last Friday warned against killings and violence during political campaigns, as the State celebrates the 7th edition of the Annual Thanksgiving Day.
The Special Adviser to the governor on Media Relations, Mr. Fidelis Soriwei quoted the governor to have made the comment at the Annual Thanksgiving event held at the 15,000-seater Ecumenical Centre, Igbogene, Yenagoa.
Governor Dickson stressed that power only comes from God and warned unscrupulous elements planning to destabilise the hard-earned peace in the state to desist from such acts.
He urged the political class to go about their campaigns in a peaceful manner devoid of violence, thuggery and focus more on issues bordering on the stability, development peace and security of the state.
Dickson was joined by the Archbishop of the Church of God Mission International, Archbishop Margaret Idahosa, Senior Pastor, House on the Rock, Pastor Paul Adefarasin, the Presiding Bishop of Logos Ministries International Church, Bishop Yomi Isijola, the Senior Pastor Royal House òf Grace, Apostle Zilly Aggrey and other men of God to mark the 7th edition of the Bayelsa Annual Thanksgiving Day Anniversary.
He said: “There is something very important that I wish to say here. Bayelsa is a blessed land. It is rated one of the most peaceful states in the country. Our state is one of the fastest developing in Nigeria.
“As we go into effective politicking, politicians should know that power comes only from the Almighty God. Our politicians should note that you don’t get power by violence, you don’t get political control because you are a deadlier killer. People should go about their campaigns without disrupting the peace and stability of the state.
“I urge you all to pray against a few criminal elements plotting to cause mayhem in the state. They are plotting to buy guns for young people and cultists to kill innocent people, they want to destabilize our state, we should pray that God should shut out such people.”
Describing the celebration as an opportunity for Bayelsans to renew their covenant of blessings with God, the governor called on the people to cultivate the habit of thanksgiving to attract more blessings.
His words: “What we do here in Bayelsa permeates from Arogbo in the Western frontiers of the Ijaw nation to Eastern Ibeno in Akwa Ibom, all we do here affect the entire Ijaw nation. I congratulate all Bayelsans on the 7th anniversary of thanksgiving. In the new Bayelsa, all good human being who come here, who do well are all Bayelsans.
Dickson said that his administration was able to achieve so much because real men of God assembled to hand over the state to God after a solemn assembly.
He said that Bayelsa was the only state in the country with a policy declaring a public holiday to give quality thanksgiving to God.
Governor Dickson, who thanked Bayelsans and residents of the state for their continued support and prayers for his administration, also used the opportunity to empathize with flood victims, assuring that, the government would continue to identify with them in their plight.
“As we currently gather here, over 70 percent of the state is under water, the state is below sea level. We again offer formal concerns to all those affected by the flood in all the councils and the camps.
“I have moved round the state to visit, and encourage our people who are affected by the flood. We have tried the little we can to support and encourage you.
“We also appreciate men of good will, churches, religious bodies, professionals, doctors and all those who made donations and offered support to the victims.
“I assure the victims that you are not forgotten in this hour of need. We thank you for your resilience, the Bayelsa spirit of perseverance. We thank God, it could have been worse. Whole communities and societies have been wiped out by natural disasters. Ours is not like that.
By: Elizabeth Vincent, Yenagoa
Accordingg to the statement, the Board and National Executive Committee of PANDEF, noted with very grave concern the recent spate of political developments in Rivers State.
“Regrettably, these developments have now degenerated into the decision of the Rivers State House of Assembly to commence impeachment proceedings against the governor and deputy governor.
“This is a deeply disturbing situation that demands urgent attention in order to forestall further escalation and breakdown of law and order.
“This concern is heightened by the critical importance and strategic centrality of Rivers to the Niger Delta region and to the broader socio-political stability and economic wellbeing of Nigeria as a whole”, the statement said.
The Forum called on all parties involved in the resurgent political imbroglio to sheathe their swords and embrace peace.
“This should be guided by the principles of give-and-take, dialogue, tolerance, and political equanimity.
“All stakeholders must place paramount importance on peace, development and the welfare of the people of Rivers.
“We must now focus squarely on good governance and development of the state,” the Forum said.
PANDEF commended President Bola Tinubu, the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), respected elders of Rivers State, and other well-meaning Nigerians for their previous and ongoing efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability in the state.
Speaking in an interview on Saturday, January 10, Chief Sara-Igbe alleged that the minister had flouted regulations governing the commencement of electioneering campaigns by moving from one local government area to another to galvanise political support.
According to him, the action amounted to a clear breach of electoral guidelines being carried out with a troubling sense of impunity that could undermine the rule of law.
“Wike has violated the electoral laws of campaigning by going from local government to local government to talk to the people. He travelled from one local government to another. As a result of his visits to local government areas, he has broken election regulations and continues to do all these things without fear of repercussions”, Chief Sara-Igbe said.
The remarks came as Chief Wike was set to round off a state-wide “thank-you” tour that covered all 23 local government areas of Rivers State.
Although the minister had described the tour as an appreciation visit following support for President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 general elections, critics say the engagements have assumed an overtly political character.
Observers note that during several stops, including recent visits to Andoni and Bonny local government areas, the minister rallied supporters across party lines under what he termed a “Rainbow Coalition,” a move widely interpreted as part of a broader political strategy.
During these engagements, Chief Wike was also reported to have made remarks perceived as a veiled challenge to the authority of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, while repeatedly referencing the 2027 elections and urging supporters to prepare to “correct the mistake” of 2023.
Chief Sara-Igbe warned that allowing such activities to continue unchecked could erode public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process and called on relevant authorities to enforce existing laws without fear or favour.
The Commission, in a statement on Wednesday, claimed that there were plans by the same group to escalate a smear campaign against its Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, to frustrate ongoing investigations and prosecutions involving prominent individuals.
The statement endorsed by the agency’s spokesman, Mr Dele Oyewale, claimed that the action was intended to distract the Commission through unfounded allegations of political bias in the discharge of its duties.
The EFCC warned that it would not stand by and watch “those recruited into this ignoble enterprise” or allow any attempt to derail it from “the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.”
The Commission made it clear that those recruited into this venture were under close watch, adding that it would not tolerate any attempt to distract it from the patriotic task of improving public accountability in Nigeria.
“The EFCC reiterates its non-political stance in all its activities. Facts on the ground clearly show that any political actor belonging to the ruling party or opposition party, with corruption baggage, has no hiding place from the operational radar and dynamics of the Commission.
“As a matter of fact, several strong members of the ruling and opposition parties are either facing trial before the courts or being investigated by the Commission.
“It is needful that Nigerians appreciate the fact that the Commission is keeping faith with its Establishment Act in all its operations.
“Therefore, the Commission reiterates its commitment to justice, without fear or favour, in the fulfilment of its mandate,” the statement pointed out.
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