A former Governor of Bayelsa and the current Senator representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District, Seriake Dickson, has denied having any rift with the incumbent Governor, Douye Diri.

Dickson disclosed that he deliberately maintained a distance from the incumbent administration as he desired to give his successor a respectable distance to operate.

It was gathered that Dickson had since stopped attending government’s functions due to the rift in the duo’s relationship over some of Diri development and economic policies which Dickson wasn’t comfortable with.

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But Senator Dickson stressed that he was constantly in touch with Diri, especially on issues bordering on the development of the state.

Dickson made his position known while speaking in Sagbama on Saturday during a grand reception in honour of leaders from Bayelsa West Senatorial District by the state chapter of the PDP.

He recalled with delight how the PDP emerged victorious in the last governorship election and expressed the optimism that the party would continue to win future elections in the state.

The immediate past governor charged party members to shun all forms of division and support the current administration, stressing that the PDP can only be strong when it is united.

The senator lauded Diri for his developmental strides, saying he was proud of his successor.

He also thanked the people of Bayelsa West for the honour done him and other leaders of the senatorial district and pledged to continue to serve his people diligently.

Also speaking, Governor Diri said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) remains the party of choice for Bayelsans and would be difficult to beat in any election in the state.

Governor Diri noted that the party was firmly rooted in the state and had embarked on projects that have endeared it to the people.

The governor urged the people of Bayelsa West to close ranks in order to consolidate the party’s achievements.

He thanked them for the honour done him and other leaders of the district and solicited their continuous support, stressing that government alone cannot deliver development to the state.

His words ”­I join all of our leaders and in particular our leader, Senator Seriake Dickson, and all of us in Bayelsa West that you thought it wise to honour to thank you. I thank you from the bottom of my heart. What you have done is an honour and honour would also find you.

“There is nothing we can do to pay you back. Only God can repay you.

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“By Gods grace, PDP is still the party to beat in Bayelsa State. Today is not for campaigns but it is a day for unity.

“Do not divide the house because you are yet to get an appointment. This is one family and we would increase in number. We have been doing that and receiving defectors and returnees in their numbers.”

In separate remarks, the state PDP chairman, Solomon Agwana, the Bayelsa West caucus leader, Chief TKO Okorotie, Chief Fyneman Wilson and Michael Magbisa all eulogised Governor Diri and leaders of Bayelsa West for their services to people of the area.