Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers State has alleged that his Bayelsa counterpart in Bayelsa, Seriake Dickson, lost the state to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to escape the EFCC arrest after leaving office.
Wike said Dickson struck a deal with the APC to lose in state in exchange for protection from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) after handing over.
APC’s Lyon David defeated People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Senator Douye Diri in the November 16 governorship poll.
It was the first time an opposition party would win the governorship seat of the strong PDP enclave.
Explaining what led to the development in a chat with reporters on Monday in Port-Harcourt, Wike, according to a statement by his Special Assistant on Electronic Media, Simeon Nwakaudu, said Dickson merely traded off the seat for his post-governorship protection.
He said that the outgoing Bayelsa State Governor was never committed to the PDP all through the elections.
He said: “We are the only State in the South-South that President Muhammadu Buhari never got 25 percent.
“Buhari got 45 percent in Bayelsa State. So who colluded with who? It is now that Dickson has realised that they played him?
“All those nocturnal promises were not kept. I challenge Dickson to ask his candidate, Senator Douye Diri the contributions I made. Is it because I didn’t pass it through him?
“Dickson planned for PDP to fail elections and he is now crying Federal Might. He assumed the role of God.
“Nobody could tell him anything. During his second term election, people resisted the Army. But this time, they left him alone.
“You cannot accord Former President Goodluck Jonathan respect. Simply because Rivers State honoured Jonathan, Dickson became angry.”
He added: “Dickson concluded plans to join the APC. Timipre Silva and Heineken Lokpobiri blocked him. He knew I have strength. He would have consulted me.
“Dickson colluded with these people so that EFCC will not arrest him when he leaves Government.“
He berated the Bayelsa Governor for not developing the state, pointing out the N70bn devoted to the airport project was needless.
“Contrary to the allegation by the Outgoing Bayelsa State Governor, there is no local Government Area in Rivers State where we don’t have projects.
“Let him mention the projects he has in the eight local Government Areas of Bayelsa State. Dickson cannot in all ramifications compare himself to me in terms of development.”
Wike said while Rivers State is a major construction site, the Bayelsa Governor has failed his people by refusing to utilise their resources judiciously.
He said that for a small state like Bayelsa, it was wrong for the outgoing Governor to expend N70 billion on an uncompleted airport when Bayelsa State lacks good roads and Basic Infrastructure.