Senator Seriake Dickson (PDP, Bayelsa West) has disclosed that he decided to withdraw from an investigative hearing of the Senate Committee on Local Content that is probing the alleged diversion of $14.8 million linked to former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, because the latter is from his state and his predecessor in office.
Senator Dickson, who noted that his decision was based on principle and personal policy, not political alignment, stressed that he has consistently refused to engage in politics that involves targeting or tearing down opponents, even when they do not extend him the same courtesy.
The Senator, who stated this on his Facebook page on Saturday, is a member of the committee, just as he said that he attended the session under the impression that it was a routine interactive meeting with the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and his team.
According to Dickon, he decided to recuse himself immediately after learning that the session was convened specifically to examine allegations concerning his predecessor as governor of Bayelsa State, even as he argued that any probe of the fund should be comprehensive rather than selective.
‘If there must be an investigation, then the entire management of the fund from inception should be reviewed, not just one transaction’, he said.
He further noted that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had already taken steps regarding the matter.
He said, ‘Chief Sylva and I have been on opposing political sides since 2011, but I do not join issues aimed at destroying anyone. My politics is based on planning, campaigning, strategic engagement and the will of the people not undermining opponents after elections’, he stated.
He added that he has always offered support to Bayelsans and Nigerians across party lines when they serve at the federal level, insisting that political disagreements should be settled at the polls, not through attempts to damage careers.
‘Our people are few; everyone is important. If you cannot help someone, leave them alone. That has been my philosophy’, he said.
Dickson reiterated that his decision was guided by fairness and his responsibility as a former governor to protect and encourage people from Bayelsa and the Niger Delta.
He concluded by informing the public of his stance as the committee proceeds with the investigative hearing. ‘The committee has the powers to continue its work, but I felt it was proper to recuse myself, and my colleagues understood my reasons’, he said.
