BAYELSA NEWS ONLINE

By Gabriel Ukuta  The attention of the public has been drawn to persistent rumours and speculative narratives circulating in parts of Bayelsa State, alleging that Senator Seriake Dickson is interfering in the administration of His Excellency, Governor Douye Diri, particularly with regard to the process of appointing a replacement for the late Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewrhudjakpor. These claims are false, misleading, and entirely disconnected from political and constitutional realities in Bayelsa State. Senator Seriake Dickson, a former Governor of Bayelsa State and currently a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, has consistently demonstrated deep respect for democratic institutions and constitutional order. He fully recognises that Governor Douye Diri is the Chief Executive of the state and does not interfere in the governance, decision-making, or administration of Bayelsa State. Unlike situations in some states where former governors exert undue influence over sit...

Former Governor of Bayelsa State and Senator representing Bayelsa West, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, has dismissed as false reports circulating in sections of the media alleging that he has defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC). In a statement issued on Friday by his media aide, Ajiri Daniels, Senator Dickson categorically stated that he remains a committed member of the PDP and has not decamped to any other political party. The Senator explained that he is presently in mourning following the death of the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Dr. Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo. He noted that, as a mark of respect, he has since stepped back from political activities during this period of mourning and has been busy receiving condolence visits from friends, political leaders, allies and well wishers all over the country. These visitors cut across political leaders drom different political parties and persons from all spheres of life. While noting th...

By Gabriel Ukuta Recent claims circulating online allege that former Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, purchased a seaplane during his administration. These assertions have resurfaced in political conversations but remain entirely false, misleading, and historically inaccurate. A review of events during the Dickson administration confirms that no seaplane was ever bought by the Bayelsa State Government. Instead, what occurred was a demonstration flight by Aero Contractors, aimed at showcasing the potential of using the Oxbow Lake as a temporary water-based landing facility. Around the mid-years of Governor Dickson’s administration, Aero Contractors the well-known Nigerian airline flew a seaplane to Yenagoa for a one-off demonstration and feasibility assessment. The purpose was simple and transparent: To show that the Oxbow Lake in Yenagoa could serve as a temporary sea terminal for air access to Bayelsa. To explore alternative transportation options before the c...

  By Gabriel Ukuta The Bayelsa State Ministry of Women, Children Affairs, Empowerment and Social Development has condemned all forms of Gender-Based Violence (GBV), especially online abuse, in line with the global theme for the 2025 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence: “Unite to End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls.” Speaking during the Walk Against Digital Violence and All Forms of Violence Against Women and Children on Thursday, 27 November 2025, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Ms. Agnes Oloye, urged young women and girls to exercise caution in their digital interactions. She advised them to refrain from sharing nude images with partners, warning that such content is often weaponized against victims on social media. Ms. Oloye described the increasing cases of cyberbullying, online blackmail, and the circulation of inappropriate images as “deeply troubling trends” that demand urgent community action. Addressing students of Government Science and Tech...

  By Gabriel Ukuta In a passionate intervention during today’s Senate deliberation on the worsening security situation in Nigeria, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson delivered a strong and uncompromising message: this is not the time for commendation, but for truth, honesty, accountability, and national resolve. The Senate had convened to debate a motion on the escalating wave of killings, abductions, terrorist attacks, and the latest disturbing incidents involving the murder of soldiers and senior officers including a Brigadier General and the abduction of schoolchildren across multiple states. The discussion came amid widespread public anxiety and a sense of national vulnerability. When recognized to speak, Senator Dickson reminded the Senate President that he had earlier raised concerns about the spiralling insecurity and the need for coordinated legislative action. He welcomed the debate but expressed strong dissatisfaction with the tone and thrust of the motion, particularly the pr...

Those who spent years relentlessly criticizing Senator SERIAKE HENRY DICKSON during his eight-year tenure as Governor of Bayelsa State (2012–2020) often presented themselves as the moral conscience of the state. They accused him of everything: underperformance, nepotism, poor infrastructure delivery, high debt profile, over-bloated civil service, and even personal extravagance. Many of these critics swore that virtually anyone else picked from the streets of Yenagoa would have done far better with the same resources. Yet, time has proved to be the most impartial judge. Since Dickson left office in February 2020, Bayelsa has had a new governor from the same political party (PDP), operating under significantly better financial conditions: the removal of fuel subsidy (which increased FAAC allocations), higher oil prices for much of the period, 13% oil derivation arrears paid to the state, and no major global pandemic disrupting governance. In short, the successor inherited a cleaner slate...