Seriake Dickson, governor of Bayelsa state, on Tuesday, described the five years administration of ex- President Goodluck Jonathan as a wasted opportunity for the Ijaws.
According to The Nation, Dickson said ministers and other presidential aides from Bayelsa lost the unique opportunity of attracting development to their domains because they were after selfish interests.
He spoke at the Ijaw House, Yenagoa, where handful of Ijaw leaders and youths gathered for the annual celebration of Adaka Boroh, the hero who fought and died for the Ijaw struggle for self-determination.
Dickson led John Jonah, his deputy, and members of his cabinet to the event.
Also at the event were Twon Brass, former military administrator of old Rivers state, Alfred Diette-Spiff, a monarch, wife, daughter, other family members of the late Boroh and some traditional rulers.
Speaking before laying wreaths at the tomb of Boroh in the Heroes’ Park, Dickson said the persons who served in the presidency during Jonathan’s era failed to work with him in the quest to bring development to the state.
Instead, he said they were preoccupied with “devilish plot” of unseating him and installing another governor in his stead.
“They suffered from the Bayelsa-Ijaw disease of pulling-him-down syndrome,” Dickson said.
The governor lamented that similar scenario was playing out in the current administration at the federal level, where ministers and aides from the state had refused to use their positions to assist his government’s developmental efforts.
“It is true that we are celebrating Boroh, but ask yourself whether you are doing your bit. Boroh came, saw and did his bit and has gone. I and my team have come and we have taken up the battle from where Boroh stopped and we are doing our duties,” he said.
“Each of us must examine ourselves and to be frank we have not done very serious examination in this state and in the Ijaw nation. We cannot blame God. God has been very merciful and kind to us particularly of late.”
Meanwhile, the Ijaw Youths Council(IYC) central zone have condemned fighting amongst Ijaw Youths on the on the occasion of celebration of Isaac Boro’s day. The statement said:
“The attention of the IYC central zone has been drawn to today’s Unfortunate incident, i would not have believed that the celebration of our hero, late major Isaac jasper Adaka Boro will be truncated by violence, looting, display of greed, and fighting amongst Ijaw youths.
“I want to use this medium to condemn the activities of Felix Tuodolo led IYC support group ( IYC purported faction), who were seen perpetrating violence, looting from shops, and harassing residents in the guise of celebrating the late hero.
“It is very unfortunate that greed and desperation for control of IYC structures, has resulted to the show of open combat amongst Ijaw youths.
“Today, at a hotel in Yenagoa, along Tombia-amassoma road, i was reliably informed that Felix Tuodolo mobilised Ijaw youths to convene there, only for fight to have broken out in the process of sharing funds, a situation which led to a bottle duel amongst some Ijaw youths, who are now lying critically ill and at the point of death in a nearby hospital.
“Painfully, most of these youths never partook in the exercise but were rather seen causing nuisance around Yenagoa metropolis, painting the IYC with a bad image, yet they received huge sums of money from Felix Tuodolo, for disrupting the peaceful conduct of the day.
“Meanwhile, those Ijaw youths who came out to honor the late hero and conducted themselves in an orderly manner, did so without receiving a dime, but all for the love of the Ijaw course.
“While I condemn the attacks amongst Ijaw youths and wish them quick recovery, i wish to call on all Ijaw leaders, youths, to hold Felix Tuodolo responsible for the unfortunate events and all the crises that has erupted in the council, today’s event clearly shows that it was all a grand plot from inception to put the IYC in a state of leadership crises by some persons, so they could continue to be called upon as mediators. Sad to say, but it is time for us to be wiser.
“It is also sad to note, that Felix Tuodolo’s people exhibited characters of bad morals; causing chaos amongst Ijaw youths. To maintain the existing peace in the state, i diplomatically cautioned our youths to decease from escalating the uproar that has already occured as a result of failed , bad and greedy persons who were opportuned to take charge of today’s mobilisation.
“I further commend the Bayelsa state government for its display of commitment to propagate the Ijaw cause. I appreciate the Commissioner of police and all media houses for their show of love and maintenance of law and order.
“In the spirit of solidarity, i call on all Ijaw youths in the zone, to maintain law and order and continue to uphold the ideals of our founding father’s. I have began moves to propose to the state government to declare May 16th, boro’s day, thereby making it a public holiday, which will further prevent the unfortunate incidents that occured today.
Long live the Boro dream
Long live Ijaw Nation
Long live the IYC!
Aan Izon!!!
Yours in struggle:
Comr. Amiebi Turner,
Ag. Chairman, IYC central zone.
