The Bayelsa State Governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson, at the weekend, hinted on the process that would lead to the emergence of his successor at the end of his second term in 2020.
Dickson said whoever would take over from him must be a product of wide consultations, prayers and divine intervention.
Speaking at a special prayer and thanksgiving to mark the 57 independence anniversary of Nigeria and 21st birthday of Bayelsa at the King of Glory Chapel, Government House, Yenagoa, the governor said the succession process would involve the entire state.
But he vowed that the government would never again be returned to blackmailers, cultists and persons who ride on the blood others to occupy political positions.
The governor particularly insisted that at the right time the state would come together for prayers to seek the face of God and beseech him to raise another team for the state.
He asked persons jostling for political positions to take it easy and wait for the right time adding that it was too early to begin to eye the leadership of the state.
He said: “I also remind those jostling for political positions too early to take it easy. In this state power does not come because you know how to blackmail more. It doesn’t come because you can plan with cultists to kill more people. In this state power comes only from God.
“While it is legitimate for people to aspire or plan, the time is not yet ripe. We are still working. At the right time, we will call the state to prayers and we will consult and this God that we serve that has enabled us to stabilise our state, stopping unnecessary killing and brigandage in our state, this God that has enabled us to bring about development, this God on his own will raise the next team.
“Tell them to cool their temper. We will pray, consult at the right time. Everybody will be carried along, then God will raise a team for us”.
Dickson further called on the people of the state especially the elites to support and appreciate his government.
He said his strides in different sectors especially in education where he had built many tuition-free boarding schools with free accommodation, uniforms, books and feeding for students deserved the support of the elites.
Unfortunately, he said most times the elites only vilify his government as if they were cursed to always see nothing good in government.
He said: “My brief plea today to all Bayelsans especially our elites, this state is not just for people to make money out of it. Our leaders should show more support and concerns about issues of development.
“We have so much to do together. Even calling to encourage the government is important. I am calling for more cooperation, support and prayers. Continue to pray for me for wisdom, for guidance for energy and health to lead the team.
“If you don’t wish your state well, who do you expect to wish your state well. All that the elites talk about is to bad-mouth their government and their state. It is as if that is a curse.
“But even if it was, today, we have broken the curse. Our state needs cooperation, understanding and support. We need to show more love and encouragement”.
THE NATION
