Yenagoa—Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has said there is no rift between him and his predecessor, Senator Seriake Dickson.
He maintained that his relationship with Dickson remains “mutually cordial and respectful.”
Diri in a statement on Saturday said stories of a rift between himself and Dickson are peddled by sponsored mischief-makers who are hell-bent on creating an imaginary fight between them.
According to the governor, since assuming office he has never failed to give due respect to his predecessors particularly to Dickson, hence any attempt to create bad blood between them would be futile.
Diri however urged Bayelsans to ignore such reports, tagging them as the handiwork of mischief-makers.
He added that his administration is focused notwithstanding the attempts by detractors to derail his government.
“In recent weeks, following the rise in political activities, some individuals and groups have engaged in spinning all manner of narratives, based on their own assumptions.
“It is discernible that their intention borders on mischief to create a perceived and imaginary wedge between me and my predecessor in office, Senator Seriake Dickson, on one hand, and within our political family in the Peoples Democratic Party, on the other.
“Deliberately, I chose to ignore such feckless but obviously sponsored reports, largely on the social media space and online platforms.
“Consistent with my character, temperament, and governance ideals, I have restrained and directed my media aides from joining issues or responding to some of these spiteful reports.
“One of my responsibilities at the helm of leadership in Bayelsa State is to engender peace and to unify our people as the irreducible catalyst for good governance and development of our state.
“At every opportunity, I have unfailingly acknowledged and given due respects to my predecessors, in particular the man that handed the governance baton to me. It is therefore an exercise in futility for those trying to sow seeds of discord.
“For the benefit of doubt, I have no rift with my immediate past predecessor. Our relationship remains cordial and mutually respectful.
“I, therefore, urge our people to ignore such reports and regard them as the handiwork of mischief-makers that do not mean well for our state and its progress.
“My administration is on course, remains focused and cannot be distracted regardless of how much our detractors try,” the statement reads in full.
