January 11, 2015 – Bayelsa State Governor, Hon.Seriake Dickson, has been commended over his handling of activities when the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate, General Mohammadu Buhari, took his campaign to the state recently.
The commendation came on Sunday from the leader of the People’s Forum, Mallam Kabiru Shittu Mohammed, who said that the governor showed leadership and political maturity by providing the Samson Siasia Stadium and security for the campaign entourage and ensured that nothing untoward happened while the opposition party was in Bayelsa State.
A statement by Mohammed, who is the Makaman Gwagwa, noted that by his exemplary disposition, Dickson has impressed it on all Nigerians the need for tolerance and understanding, which, he said, should be emulated in the on-going political campaign by the politicians.
He noted that when the former governor in the state, Timipre Sylva, was in charge, Buhari’s campaign train in Bayelsa State in the 2011 election was marred by attacks and incidence of tear gas, adding that such attitude was not only disruptive but also does not add value to cause of democracy.
“We duly appreciate the conduct of Governor Seriake Dickson for his exemplary display of leadership and political maturity by providing the stadium and the needed security when General Buhari and his campaign team were in Yenagoa.
He showed wisdom in his action which ensured that no negative incident happened throughout the stay of the opposition in the state. Interestingly, the campaign was initially scheduled to hold in an open space but gave the stadium as an alternative venue.
“This gesture is uncommon among our politicians and we duly commend the governor. We recall that when Timipre Sylva was the governor of the state, Buhari’s campaign in Bayelsa in 2011 was marked by attacks and even the incident of tear gas but it was not the case this time. The lesson from Governor Dickson is the need for tolerance and understanding which we recommend to all our politicians as they go about their campaign. Political leaders must eschew any act that could cause violence or do harm all in the name of politics. Such actions do not enhance our democracy.”
