From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
A former member of the Federal House of Representatives from Bayelsa State, Hon. Israel Sunny-Goli, has reprimanded the senator representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District, Senator Seriake Dickson, over his democratic outburst against President Bola Tinubu.
Sunny-Goli, who is also the Kemmer V Amadabo of Kemmer-Ama, in Brass Local Government Area, in a statement titled “The hypocrisy of Henry Seriake Dickson – a supposed democrat with an undemocratic legacy”, declared that Dickson’s criticism of Tinubu’s interventions in Rivers State rings hollow, considering his (Dickson’s) troubling legacy in Bayelsa State during his two-term rule as governor.
According to him, he was shocked at Dickson’s criticism of Tinubu when the former’s tenure as governor was marked by a blatant disregard for democratic principles.
“His administration institutionalised oppression, stifled opposition voices, and exhibited an unparalleled aversion to democratic norms,” he said.
Sunny-Goli, who recounted his personal experience as a lawmaker in the House of Assembly on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) between 2015 and 2019, when he faced political alienation from Dickson, disclosed that he had to involve the Code of Conduct Bureau before his emoluments were paid to him.
On the Rivers crisis, Sunny-Goli commended Tinubu for his quick and practical intervention, describing the President as a steadfast advocate for constitutional governance.
“Even Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the key figure in the conflict, has expressed appreciation for the President’s decisive action. Yet, Dickson appears determined to insert himself unnecessarily into the discourse.”
The monarch implored Dickson to respect the rotational principle in Bayelsa West to demonstrate his democratic credentials.
“If Dickson were truly a democrat, he would honour the mutual understanding in Bayelsa West Senatorial District, which mandates the rotation of the Senate seat between Ekeremor and Sagbama. Rather, he continues to prioritise his ambition over the collective will of the people. He should borrow a leaf from the people of Bayelsa East Senatorial District, who have steadfastly upheld their rotational arrangement.
“This system was designed to ensure an equitable distribution of representative opportunities among the local government areas within the district.
“Dickson’s history of authoritarianism extends beyond his governorship. His attempts to manipulate senatorial representation, suppress opposition voices, and flout constitutional processes are clear indicators of his undemocratic nature.
“The people of Bayelsa State and Nigerians at large must not be deceived by Dickson’s revisionist narrative. His tenure was defined by oppression, suppression, and values antithetical to democracy.”