Gov. Dickson Decries Ungenerous Attitude Of His Erstwhile Political Appointees

“But If Somebody Goes To Them That They Need N5,000, N10,000 To Solve A Problem, They Will Rather Cry No Money oo, No Money oo. Na Hungry We Dey oo. Because Of Greediness And Selfishness.”

By Clement Ovokeroye Paul

Bight News – The Governor of Bayelsa State, Henry Seriake Dickson has described as ungenerous, the attitude of most of his erstwhile political appointees whom he said failed to extend his heart of magnanimity and generosity to others in the state.

The Governor stated this while responding to question asked to confirm report about the sack of his political appointees two months to his transition, during a live media chat with Journalists in Government House on Saturday.

He said while his government made it a duty to construct roads and bridges; build schools and other infrastructures, he also thought it wise to engage a total of 3000 political appointees across the state. But some of them could not extend the gesture to other Bayelsans who not privileged to be appointed.

He regretted that, most of them, rather solving diminutive financial problems of their brothers, friends and associates, ranging from N5,000 to N10,000 as the case may be, they will shy away from such leadership responsibility, dismissing them with saying that;  “no money”, times are hard.

“No governor in this state has made more political appointments than I have done. As at December before the announcement was made I have 3,000 political appointees. And I did that deliberately, to enable as many people survive; take care of their family and so, in legitimate manner.

“Some may appreciate. Others may not appreciate. Some even with those political appointments were the one complaining the loudest. For me while I was building the roads, building the schools, building the hospital, we need to also take of our people in a legitimate way.

“But if somebody goes to them that they need N5,000, N10,000 to solve a problem, they will rather cry no money oo, no money oo. Na hungry we dey oo. Because of greediness and selfishness.”

He regretted that most political appointees failed to get “back to their people to show the largeness of the heart of the Governor”.

Dickson noted that he appointed so many people into his government because unlike other state, Bayelsa State has industries where interested Bayelsans would be engaged to make ends meet other than the Civil Service. He dismissed the insinuations that he sacked those he appointed.

Bight News had reported that Governor Dickson laid off all his political appointees except those whose positions are critical to the transition process. He urged them to accept the reality that his government is winding down, and as a government in transition, there’s no way anyone could stay. Adding that everyone needs to step aside for the new government to takes.

While acknowledging astounding performances of most of appointees who did very in office and have also expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to serve, he noted that his government promoted the unity of Ijaw nation.

“No governor of Bayelsa has made appointment across Ijaw nation like I have done. Because, I am deliberate about promoting the unity of our people. There are Kalabari sons and daughters in this government; there are Okrika sons and daughters in this government; there are Andoni sons and daughters in this government; there are sons and daughters from Arogbo in this government; from the Egbema in this government. From Ondo state down to Akwa Ibom, there are Ijaw people in this government. So this is one government for Ijaw nation’,’ he added.