Dickson Sworn-in for a Second Term…

Bayelsa State Governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson, who yesterday commenced his second term in office, has praised himself for returning sanity to the polity and security system in the state since he took office four years ago.

Dickson who along with his deputy, Rear Admiral John Jonah (rtd) were inaugurated by the the Chief Judge, Justice Kate Abiri, however thanked the people for returning him back to office.

The ceremony, characterised by pomp, ceremony and displays, attracted thousands of politicians and residents from within and outside the state.

There was a glamorous parade by the officers and men of the Nigeria Police even as prominent Bayelsans poured in at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex, Yenagoa venue of the swearing-in and thanksgiving service to witness the ceremony.

Also at the inaugurations were Governors Ayo Fayose (Ekiti); Ifeanyi Okowa (Delta); Nyesom Wike (Rivers); Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia); and Dakwambo Ibrahim (Gombe).

Other notable politicians were former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Godswill Akpabio, Acting Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Uche Secondus, Minority Leader, House of Representatives, Leo Ogor, Senator Ben Murray-Bruce and Mr. Jimi Agbaje, among others.

In his inaugural speech, Dickson described the mandate given him as a support for the continuation of good governance in the state.

He said he was not surprised that their electoral victory had spurred a rebirth of the PDP and inspired a new sense of hope in Nigeria’s democracy.

He said their experience from the last elections in Bayelsa showed that Nigerian system was far from being perfect, noting that Nigerians must continually commit themselves to work together to strengthen the internal processes of political parties and improve the electoral system.

He said: “Thankfully, this victory has helped to sustain the plurality of our democracy and discountenance fears that Nigeria could slide towards a one party state. Let a thousand flowers bloom in our garden of democracy!

“In my inaugural address four years ago, I pledged not to play politics with your development. I also promised not to play politics with your security. I said so because of the inescapable truth that development is not possible without security.

“You are all witnesses that before we assumed the leadership of this state in 2012, insecurity and violence was so prevalent that our people lived in fear while killings by state-supported cultists was a daily occurrence. Consequently, several businesses closed shops or moved out as the atmosphere in the state was clearly not conducive for commerce or any development to take place.

“Four years down the road, you are witnesses to the enormous transformation that has occurred in our security landscape. The return of night life, commerce, influx of visitors, new residents and businesses as well as atmosphere of peace and security that prevailed prior to the build-up “The security strategy, architecture and infrastructure that we have put in place are second to none in Nigeria. In the next four years, we shall consolidate and expand on these by increasing our investment in security.”

He condemned the violence allegedly visited on Bayelsans under the guise of politics and elections, acknowledging the sacrifice of brothers and sisters who were victims of the mindless bloodletting.

“Now that elections are over, we must strengthen the synergy between citizens, the state government and security agencies to recapture the peace and security that prevailed prior to the elections.

“Bayelsa is the epicenter of the Niger Delta, critical to the security, stability and economic prosperity of our country and the Gulf of Guinea region. Therefore, our government remains committed to working with the Federal Government and security agencies to secure our nation and its people.

“We should work together to rout kidnappers, cultists and other criminals who vandalize national economic assets. The imperative of this partnership dictates for instance, that no government official or functionary at state or federal level should use their position to encourage or facilitate crime and criminality under any guise.

He said a key focus for his administration in the next four years is to expand ongoing rural electrification schemes and build on massive investment in power to drive industrialization.

He stressed that the government had already concluded a gas purchase agreement with Shell to service the state’s energy hub.