Jonathan: I’ll Never Plan Dickson’s Downfall

Emmanuel Addeh in Yenagoa

Former President Goodluck Jonathan wednesday dispelled speculations over his rumoured rift with Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State.

Jonathan, who spoke when the governor paid him a condolence visit in his Otuoke home on the passing of the Paramount Ruler of Otuoke Community, HRH King Lot Justin Ogiasa, said he would never plan Dickson’s downfall.
While describing politics as a “useless game”, the former president said some people were using politics to create crisis where none exists.

“There is no way I can sit anywhere and plan evil against Bayelsa or the Governor. When I was dreaming of becoming a governor, Dickson was amongst the very few in the meetings we were holding, although he was not in PDP he opted to help.

“He said he didn’t want to be in the PDP but I virtually forced him to join PDP. When I became Governor, I appointed Dickson Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General.

“That was how he (Dickson) became a PDP member and later became a member of House of Representatives and so on. There is no way I will break my relationship with the Governor”, the ex-president said.

On his part, the Governor who led a high-powered state delegation for the condolence said he remains a part of the Ogiasa family and by extension, the Otuoke Community of Ogbia Local Government.

He also dispelled any rumour of a rift with the former president in and out of office and said Jonathan would continue to remain his leader, having come a long way with the former president.

Dickson called on those who want to cause ‘imaginary’ differences between him and Jonathan to sink their plans.
He said : “Both of us have come a long way. My personal political story cannot be complete without talking about my elder brother, Jonathan. He also knows that I made a little contribution that is recorded in the political chapter of his life’’ , Dickson said.

The Governor noted that both he and Jonathan are not running for any office and wondered why ‘political jobbers’ were bent on destroying their good relationship.

He commiserated with the entire Otuoke community and said he embarked upon the visit because of his respect for the bereaved family and the former President.

‘’We are here in full force as we have always done to commiserate with you, my elder brother, leader and the Ogiasa family in this hour of bereavement. We pray God to grant the Ogiasa eternal repose,’’ Dickson said.