Bayelsa 2016: Crisis Hits First Lady’s Camp over Endorsement of Dickson

February 8, 2015 – Barely three days after the public endorsement for the re-election of Governor Seriake Dickson in 2016 by President Goodluck Jonathan, the political camp of the First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan in Bayelsa State is in a serious quandary and confusion.

Jonathan, at the presidential rally of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Yenagoa at the weekend, snubbed his wife’s camp and identified with Dickson, declaring total support for his administration.

Dickson and the First Lady have been at daggers’ drawn over the latter’s alleged plot to undermine the former and unseat him using the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN) as a platform.

But the President said: “Those who don’t like the governor (Dickson) don’t like me because I am working with the governor. I have read stories. Some people are coming to spoil your minds.

“If you don’t like the leadership that we put in place then you don’t like me. So, don’t allow people to spoil your minds. I have noticed that you young people 0.4 per cent of you who are here have been instigated by people who don’t like us.

“But I am telling you that you must work with the governor of this state for you to benefit from us. We are together, we work together to bring dividends of democracy to this state. Don’t allow anybody to deceive you. I am telling you as your brother.
I am telling you as your uncle. You must work with the government to make sure that we develop this state. You have to work with us.”

Jonathan’s remarks were said to have jolted anti-Dickson’s elements who had earlier thought that the President would join a section of the allegedly sponsored crowd to humiliate the governor.

It was gathered that the state leadership of TAN which allegedly hired the booing crowd was disappointed after Jonathan gave a clean bill of health to Dickson.

A member of the First Lady’s camp, who pleaded anonymity, described the President’s statement as a big disappointment.

Sources said that following the body language of the President, some members of TAN were pushing to have private audience with the governor to pledge their loyalty.
Investigations revealed that residents in Yenagoa are of the opinion that the President has endorsed Dickson for a second term and there is nothing anybody can do about it.

Highly placed sources said that a delegation of Bayelsa elders is planning a visit to thank the President for backing the governor and saving the state from “needless anarchy and chaos”.