Governor, Seriake Dickson Bars Pro-Jonathan Group, TAN From Bayelsa

Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson on Friday ordered the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN) to leave the state and cease campaigning for President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election, in what appears a battle between Mr. Dickson and loyalists of the president’s wife who are in charge of the organization in Bayelsa State. The decision appears a fallout of deteriorating relations between the governor (who fired three loyalists of the first lady from his cabinet) and Mrs. Jonathan who had earlier resigned from her position as permanent secretary in the Bayelsa State civil service.

In a press statement Friday signed by the governor’s spokesperson, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, Mr. Dickson directed the leadership of the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria, TAN, to immediately leave Bayelsa State.

Governor Dickson, who gave the advice at a meeting with the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) flag bearers for next month’s general elections, at the party’s secretariat in Yenagoa had in attendance prominent personalities such as former Governor, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha.

According to a statement by chief press secretary, the PDP in the State as the only recognized political platform and structure saddled with the responsibility of leading the President’s campaign in the State with him, the Governor as the leader, noting with serious dismay, the activities of TAN, which do not seem to serve the purpose for which it was created in the State.

The Governor, who enjoined all groups and individuals to queue behind him, as the leader of the party in the State, pointing out that, TAN and some members of its top hierarchy have become tools of subversion, creating needless rancours, acrimonies and divisions, stressing that, the Government and the PDP in the State will no longer tolerate their actions.

An unnamed official of TAN, who was contacted for comments, described the allegations as “wild and unfounded” adding that TAN had noted three unprovoked attacks on the organizations.

He said that the organization will deliberate and issue a statement in response to the comments by the governor. “It is very primitive of someone who claims to be working for the President to try to attack an organization build to promote the candidacy of the same President, this development has exposed the workings of his mind,” the TAN official said.

Sources: The Leadership / Premium Times