Dickson: ‘I tried to see Jonathan 16 times’, accuses APC leaders of using ex-President ‘to legitimise rigging, violence’

Governor Seriake Dickson says the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would challenge the result of November 16 Bayelsa governorship election in court.
Dickson disclosed this while addressing the media in Yenagoa on Tuesday.
He maintained that the PDP did not lose the election as it was characterised by violence and widespread malpractices which were carefully documented.
Dickson, however, said he already set up a transition committee to work out modalities for smooth handover on February 14, 2020.
“Our candidate, Senator Douye Diri and the party chairman have been speaking about the charade called election that took place in Bayelsa on Saturday, and the invasion of our state by security forces.
“The dehumanisation of our people and how the majority of the areas and in places, where our people were denied the right to vote for the candidate of their choice.
“The story is all out there that what took place in the state on November 16 was not a democratic election.
“So, today, I’m here to add my voice to all that has been said already, and it was so brazen, it has never been like this in this state before.
“I know that in 2015, we went through a very tough time, there was display of federal might, but at least, it was not as bad as this.”
He said the endorsement of Mr David Lyon, the governor-elect by former President Goodluck Jonathan was regrettable and a ploy by the APC to strategically take over the state.
He said that the perception that he alienated PDP stakeholders including the former president was unfounded adding that the primary election that produced the PDP candidate was credible.
“Jonathan remains my boss and I respect him, but there are lots of efforts by certain interest to create a rift between us, there is no politician that has been there for the former president than me.
“He has also helped me but it is unfortunate that I am being misconstrued in this matter of the election, I tried to meet Jonathan for 16 times and he opted to support a candidate that does not wish me well.
“I will soon write my memoirs and people will have a fair view of what happened, the visit of some APC governors to Jonathan who congratulated the APC candidate without congratulating the candidate of his party.
“It is strategic for APC leaders to use Jonathan to legitimise the illegitimacy that happened on Saturday,” Dickson said.
He later inaugurated a 41-member Transition Committee in readiness for the inauguration of the incoming administration.
The committee, which has the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr Kemela Okara, as Chairman, also has Mr Talford Ongolo as Deputy Chairman and Mr Luka Obiri as Secretary.
Members of the committee, which includes all serving Commissioners, five Permanent Secretaries and political appointees was inaugurated on Tuesday at the Governor’s Conference Room, Government House, Yenagoa.
A statement by Mr Fidelis Soriwei, Chief Press Secretary to Dickson, said the constitution of the Transition Committee was in line with the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The purpose of the committee is to articulate, record and document all the policies, programmes, projects and achievements of the administration in all sectors in eight years.
“The purpose is to articulate and record all that we have achieved and done in all sectors as a state.
“That’s why all commissioners are part of this committee to enable you to present a scorecard of all our policies and programmes both completed and ongoing projects.”
He said that the outcome of the work  would be handed over in various forms to the incoming administration.
He said the achievements of his administration would be a testimony while Bayelsa people were assured of continually enjoying the dividends of democracy.
He thanked members of the committee for their diligence, sacrifice and manner they served his administration.
In his address, Okara gave the assurance that before the end of the year, the committee would complete its assigned task.
The assignment includes the financial position of the state, in terms of assets and liabilities, in a clear document.
He added that they would produce a very thorough and standard report that other states would envy.