The governor of Rivers state, Nyesom Wike has accused his counterpart, the governor of Bayelsa state, Seriake Dickson of working against the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in exchange for Federal Government protection with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
According to a statement by his Special Assistant on Electronic Media, Simeon Nwakaudu, Dickson merely traded off the seat for his post-governorship protection.
He said that the outgoing Bayelsa State Governor was never committed to the PDP all through the elections.
He said: “We are the only State in the South-South that President Muhammadu Buhari never got 25percent.
“Buhari got 45 percent in Bayelsa State. So who colluded with who? It is now that Dickson has realised that they played him?
“All those nocturnal promises were not kept. I challenge Dickson to ask his candidate, Senator Douye Diri the contributions I made. Is it because I didn’t pass it through him?
“Dickson planned for PDP to fail elections and he is now crying Federal Might. He assumed the role of God.
“Nobody could tell him anything. During his second term election, people resisted the Army. But this time, they left him alone.
“You cannot accord Former President Goodluck Jonathan respect. Simply because Rivers State honoured Jonathan, Dickson became angry.”
He added: “Dickson concluded plans to join the APC. Timipre Silva and Heineken Lokpobiri blocked him. He knew I have strength. He would have consulted me.
“Dickson colluded with these people so that EFCC will not arrest him when he leaves Government.”
He berated the Bayelsa Governor for not developing the state, pointing out the N70bn devoted to the airport project was needless.
“Contrary to the allegation by the Outgoing Bayelsa State Governor, there is no local Government Area in Rivers State where we don’t have projects.
“Let him mention the projects he has in the eight local Government Areas of Bayelsa State. Dickson cannot in all ramifications compare himself to me in terms of development.”
Wike said while Rivers State is a major construction site, the Bayelsa Governor has failed his people by refusing to utilise their resources judiciously.
APC’s Lyon David defeated Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Senator Douye Diri in the November 16 governorship poll.
It was the first time an opposition party would win the governorship seat of the strong PDP enclave.
The two governors have locked horns over Soku oil wells which were being held by Bayelsa state until a court ruling last week declared that the oil wells belong to Rivers state
The two governors have publicly engaged each other in a verbal war bordering on official and personal animosity in the past few days.
The two governors have taken the matter personally in public with each calling the other names and trading accusations.
Meanwhile the PDP, in a statement by its spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan, called on the two governors to stop the brick bats and allow the leadership of the party to resolve the matter amicably.
The statement said: “The national leadership, having noted the issues, has activated the party’s internal reconciliation mechanism to settle the matter amicably.
“The PDP recognises that the tone of disagreements between the two respected governors was skin-deep and only borne out of their love and zeal for their respective states.
“The PDP leadership hereby urges both Governors Wike and Dickson, as eminent leaders and frontline stakeholders in our party, to sheathe their swords while the leadership harmoniously resolves the issue.
“We therefore assure all our leaders, critical stakeholders, members and supporters of our great party, particularly in Rivers and Bayelsa states, to remain calm and united, as the issue is already being resolved.
“The PDP restates that it remains one big indivisible family and will not allow anything to undermine its unity and focus especially at this trying time in the history of our nation”.
