Politics

Choosing Diri As Bayelsa Gov Spared Me Of Moral Burden – Ex-Gov

Published

4 years ago

January 7, 2022

Senator Seriake Dickson, representing Bayelsa West at the National Assembly, has boasted that he made the right choice by choosing Douye Diri and Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo as Governor and Deputy Governor of the state respectively.

Dickson said those who opposed him over the choice of Diri and Ewhrudjakpo as the flag bearers of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2019 governorship election had now seen the right decision he took.

The former governor spoke when he paid a yuletide visit to Ofoni, the hometown of the deputy governor in the Sagbama Local Government Area of the state, on Wednesday.

This was contained in a statement on Thursday by the Senior Special Assistant on Media to the deputy governor, Doubara Atasi.

Dickson, who handed over the baton of leadership to his successor on February 14, 2020, said he would have been struggling with a heavy moral burden if he had failed in his choice.

He said, “It is now clear to even those who doubted me when I said I prayerfully selected the pair of Senator Diri and Senator Ewhrudjakpo that I made the right choice. I would have been carrying a heavy moral burden, if I had decided otherwise.

“I know the number of people who called, spoke, advised and fought me saying Kolokuma has no vote. And I replied them saying, ‘Are they not part of this state, the local government of Major Isaac Boro and others who had served our people?’

“If I had taken the easy way out, though the fight would have been easier, but I would have left with some moral burden. I would have been querying myself, ‘oh you didn’t give the governorship to this people, when will they have it?’

“I was at the head of the whole thing but as I told people at Sampou (Diri’s hometown), we should always thank God because even the small strength, intellect and indeed everything came from God.”

The senator commended Ewhrudjakpo for his loyalty to Diri and advised him to shun the activities of mischief makers and fifth columnists, whose stock in trade is to cause divisions and strife in the polity.

He pointed out that Bayelsa was in safe hands under Diri and his deputy, and appreciated God for vindicating him and restoring the stolen mandate of the PDP.

Ewhrudjakpo, in his remarks, expressed gratitude to God for using the governor and Dickson to bring his political career to limelight.

He described them as his political godfathers, adding that he could not have attained his current position as deputy governor without the role the two leaders played and therefore, would remain eternally grateful to them.

Speaking on behalf of the Ofoni Federated Community, a chieftain of the PDP, Odiyovwi Osusu, thanked Dickson and members of his entourage for the visit and pledged the community’s continued support.

Related Topics:Douye Diri Seriake Dickson

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Politics

Ovia By-election, Litmus Test To APC Success In 2027, Says Edo Deputy Gov

Published

9 hours ago

August 10, 2025

Editor

The deputy governor of Edo state, Hon. Dennis Idahosa has described next Saturday’s Ovia federal constituency by-election as a litmus test for the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2027 general elections.

He, therefore, said that the leadership and members of the party must do all that is necessary in terms of mobilisation and canvassing for votes to secure victory for the APC.

The deputy governor stated this at the party’s flag off campaign for the bye-election in Ovia South West on Saturday.

He noted that on the part of the government, Governor Monday Okpebholo has embarked on infrastructural transformation of the federal constituency to make life more meaningful for the people.

At Siluko Ward, Idahosa told the electorates that aside having a high population, the community is one of the gateways into the state and therefore need to open up the area for development.

He said that the only support needed for the governor to do more is to work for the success of the APC on Saturday.

“Saturday’s by-election is to show our preparedness for the 2027 general elections. I want it to be a 100 perxent win for the APC.”

He said: “Be reminded that all the good things that have come to Siluko ward were facilitated by the APC government.

“We are not taking this election for granted. When you get home, tell your family and neighbours that APC is one way, vote for Omosede Igbinedion, the only female candidate for the National Assembly from Edo state.”

On her part, the party’s candidate foe the poll, Igbinedion, while describing the deputy governor as a grassroot politician who has worked for the transformation of the federal constituency.

She appealed to the people not to relent on their support for the deputy governor, as well as the APC for more infrastructural development.

“Even in the cause of this campaigns, he (Idahosa) has brought some more projects to our communities.

“With you votes on Saturday, I am going to complement his efforts in Abuja for the total transformation of our constituency,” she promised.

Similarly, Senator Neda Imasuen asserted that as a second term member of the house, Igbinedion would be able to identify lapses she made in her first term and correct them and influence projects for the betterment of her constituents.

The council Chairman Hon. Nosakhare Edobo, said that the governor has shown commitment to the people to deserve their support.

Politics

Why We’re Reviving Igueben College Of Education — Okpebholo

Published

9 hours ago

August 10, 2025

Editor

Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State has explained why his administration reviving College of Education, Igueben, Igueben Local Government Area of the state.

The governor said the pivotal role the institution will play in bringing development to Igueben informed his decision to revamp the College.

Speaking during the All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign tour of several wards in Edo Central Senatorial District, including Ward 4, 7, 8, Uzea Kingdom, and Ebele Kingdom over the weekend, the governor assured residents that the state’s higher institutions would receive the attention they deserve.

He said: “We will continue to march forward. We are reviving the College of Education, Igueben. We have rolled out a ₦1 billion bursary scheme to cater for Edo indigenes in tertiary institutions.”

Okpebholo, who was received by the Enogie of Uzea and the Enogie of Ebele respectively during the visits, also welcomed decampees from other political parties, led by leaders of various groups from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), including the former Speaker of the Edo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Friday Itula, in Okpoju Ward 4.

The governor, while highlighting other achievements of his administration, noted that under the Renewed Hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Edo State has purchased tractors to boost agriculture, revived the moribund Edo Line Transport Company and cleared its debts, procured security vehicles, banned illegal revenue collection, and intensified the fight against kidnapping.

He added: “Anyone that wants the progress of this country should vote for Mr. President because he loves Edo State. Before now, they could not do anything for us.”

Politics

By-Election: APC Round Off Campaign In Ovia North East LGA, Optimistic Of Victory

Published

1 day ago

August 9, 2025

Editor

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has rounded off its campaign for the August 16th bye-election for the Ovia federal constituency in Edo state.

The party which concluded its campaign with the rally at Utoka and Iguoshodin wards in Ovia North East on Friday, said it is optimistic of victory for the next Saturday poll.

Speaking at the rally, the state’s deputy governor, Hon Dennis Idahosa, said that the party has effectively intimated the people across the 13 wards that in the council area of its campaign promises.

He, however, noted that it is not all about rhetoric for the party has a history of delivery of its campaign promises to the people of Edo state.

Idahosa further said that the APC candidate, Ms Omosede Igbinedion, being a former member of the House of Representatives, has the capacity and experience to attract developmental projects to the constituency.

“Come August 16, with the support of the people, she will take the day. And, this is Iguoshodin Ward. We do not hope to get anything less than 98 percent.

“We are not taking anything for granted. We are going to campaign in the 23 Wards that make Ovia federal Constituency. We are going into the units as this election means a lot to us.

“We want to send someone that is competent, reliable, and understands the workings of the National Assembly (NASS) to represent the people of Ovia Federal Constituency. That person is Gabriella Omosede Igbinedion,” he said.

Meanwhile, the APC candidate said her support system is growing against the background of the defection of the immediate past deputy governor, Marvelous Omobayo.

According to her, “he, Omobayo, paid a surprise visit to my house last night, requesting for my campaign cap. He stated that he was going to wear it throughout this period.”

Simirlarly, the Senator representing Edo South in the NASS, Neda Imasuen, stressed that it is in the intestinal of the APC to win both August 16 scheduled bye-elections in Ovia federal constituency and the Edo Central senate seat.