RIGHTS GROUP ENDORSE H.E. DICKSON FOR THE BAYELSA WEST SENATORIAL SEAT

▪▪Say he is a charismatic, visionary, productive and focused leader

TRACKING____Yesterday May 13, 2020, three human rights organizations unanimously endorsed the Senatorial bid of former Governor of Bayelsa State, Honourable Henry Seriake Dickson to represent Bayelsa West Senatorial District ahead of the bye-elections in the States.

Spokesman of the three rights groups, Barr. Inamuna Lamech said the endorsement was long overdue on the strength that the fact that the former Governor has demonstrated rare leadership qualities in the service of Bayelsa State, the Ijaw nation and the country at large.

In a meeting held in Bishop Dimeari Grammar School, the groups gave seven reasons that necessitated the endorsement of Hon. Dickson, adding that in their considered opinion, several principal reasons lend credence to the endorsement.

Firstly, Hon. Seriake Dickson has garnered extraordinary experience in governance over the years. He was Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Bayelsa State, during which he initiated some fundamental reforms. Dickson is a Reform-minded leader with long-term vision.

As a lawyer Dickson was elected pioneer Publicity Secretary, Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) Yenagoa from 1996 to 1998.In January 2006, Dickson was appointed the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of
Bayelsa State (2006 to 2007) by the then Governor, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan GCFR, who was to become President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Secondly, the Publicity Secretary of the Niger Delta Coalition for Good Governance, NDCGG, Mrs. Linda Lelei emphasized that while Hon. Dickson was in the House of Representatives, he was the lone voice, which discussed developmental issues concerning the Bayelsa State and the Niger Delta, reiterating that Hon. Dickson is an asset to the Ijaw Nation.

Thirdly, Comrade Perekeme Joseph extolled the qualities of the former Governor if Bayelsa State recalled that Hon Seriake Dickson was Legal Adviser of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) and served between 2001 and 2003. He later became a member of the National, Executive Committee (NEC), Nigeria Bar Association between 2004 and 2006. These are monumental achievements in his service of the Ijaw nation nd his chosen profession.

He was also the founding Secretary of the Great Committee of Friends (The Green Movement) in, 2005. The Green Movement was and remains a notable political tendency of patriotic and committed Bayelsans, desirous of development.

In another dimension. Dr.John Idumange who is the Director-General of “The Niger Delta Integrity Group, NDIG, pinponted that Hon Seriake Dickson has served as the most prolific member of the National Assembly member from the South-South. He recalled that HSD was Chairman, House Committee on Justice and member of several committees including Defence, National Security, Intelligence and Foreign Affairs etc.
He effectively represented his people, kept the executive on its toes through oversight functions. In addition, he moved critical motions and brought serious national issues to the front burner of the Green Chamber.

As the Chairman, House Committee on Justice, he had responsibility of leading
oversight on the office of the Attorney General of the Federation, the Nigerian Law school, Legal Aid Council and also the Law Reform Commission and treaty obligations of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as well as human rights issues. He concluded that only Hon. Seriake Dickson has recorded these robust achievements.

The leadership of the three NGO’s agreed that Ex-Governor Dickson was the voice of the Niger Delta and he will even do better in the Senate.

At the Green Chamber, Honourable Dickson sponsored/co- sponsored several bills, which include:

•The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2009).

•The Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences (Establishment) Act (Amendment) Bill, 2009.

•The Evidence Bill, 2009.

• The Kidnapping and Hostage Taking (Prohibition) Bill, 2009.

He played a prominent role in the enactment of the following bills:

•The Freedom of Information Bill, 2007.

• The Prevention of Terrorism Bill, 2009.

•Amendment of the Evidence Act, 2009, the first ever of such amendment since 1954.
He also made critical inputs into providing the framework for the amendment of the 1999 Constitution and Electoral Act among scores of others.

In summation, the rights groups endorsed Ex-Governor Seriake Dickson as the most suitable, experienced and visionary person who can represent the Bayelsa West Senatorial District, pledging that members will throw their weight in support of Hon. Dickson.