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From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
There is no rift between Governor Douye Diri and his predecessor, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, says the Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Matters, Chief Collins Cocodia.
Cocodia therefore charged political actors to channel their energy towards supporting ‘Miracle Governor’ Senator Douye Diri so that he can continue his good works rather than create discrepancies, conflicts or disunity with his predecessor, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson.
Some chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who recently defected from the party had claimed that loyalists of Dickson are being victimised and frustrated out of the party.
Cocodia who stated this during a live audience-participatory program monitored on Rhythm FM 94.7 in Yenagoa reminded the public that the government of the immediate administration led by Dickson, gave birth to the incumbent administration of Diri.
According to him the mantra of “Prosperity” was also a brain child of “Restoration” mantra, and so heating the polity was unnecessary and uncalled for.
Cocodia while recalling that Diri, his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, himself, and some other appointees currently serving, were also crusaders of the immediate past administration, added that the governor still enjoys that cordial relationship that has been existing between them.
“People are trying to create confusion where there shouldn’t be. It’s still the same family, the Governor and his predecessor are on good terms, and they talk regularly, and sometimes take decisions together.”
“I served as Governor’s Representative, Commissioner for Youth Development, Sports Development, and pioneered the Labour, Employment and Productivity ministry, all under the Restoration government. But I am here in the Prosperity government, does that remove me from Restoration, certainly not.”
“Even the Governor served under the Restoration government and then later became a National Assembly member under the Restoration government. The Deputy Governor also served as Works Commissioner under the Restoration government.”
“So let’s be fair to the two political leaders that we have, and stop trying to create confusion amongst them.”
On the recent defection of some stakeholders from the PDP, to the Social Democratic Party, Cocodia frowned at the defectors for their actions, despite benefitting from the same system, stressing however that there was no cause for alarm, as efforts were already ongoing to reconcile those who defected and all aggrieved members, who are dissatisfied with the last party primaries, through a reconciliation committee set up by the Governor, Senator Douye Diri.
He also reminded political actors and party faithful that only one person can occupy a seat at a time, and so, the need for understanding and unity within the party for continued success to be achieved.
Cocodia implored residents of the state to continue to throw their weight behind the Governor who has ensured continuity in governance, by embarking on uncompleted projects initiated by the past administrations, such as the Sagbama/Ekeremor road, the central senatorial road, the Nembe/Brass road, the outer ring road project, the state central motor park, amongst others.
