Henry Seriake Dickson, Bayelsa Governor’s Continuous Absence Causing Unrest

Tongues are beginning to wag over the continuous absence of Bayelsa State governor, Henry Seriake Dickson from office.

Sources says, his absence from the government house in the oil-rich Bayelsa may not be unconnected to his ailing health.

It was gathered that the serving governor left the shores of Nigeria for the United Kingdom on medical ground, but the state government maintains that the governor is as fit as fiddle, noting that he went on a working leave.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Political Affairs, Chief Fred Agbedi, disclosed that his absence has not in any way affected the affairs of the state.

He said, “Governor Henry Seriake Dickson has gone abroad in his bid to woo investors and develop the state. On a private note, the Governor is also on holiday. He has not gone on holiday since his election into the House of Representatives, which he won after the turbulent rerun, and shortly after that, he went into the governorship primaries.

“He went through a rigorous campaign. Since then he has not taken a deserved rest and that is what he is doing now. The Governor did not travel because of ill-health but he travelled for the interest of the state and to rest.

It was gathered that the governor may miss all the activities lined up for Nigeria’s 52 Independence celebration and the 16th anniversary celebration for the creation of Bayelsa State, but the state government insists that there was no law that made it compulsory for the governor to be present during any of the anniversaries.

The absence of the governor has left yet another vacuum at the state government house following the absence of the First Lady, Patience Jonathan who is also a serving permanent Secretary in the State to Germany for medical treatment.