Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, the national leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and former governor of Bayelsa State, has spoken about how he welcomed and provided security for political opponents who visited the state while he was governor.
In an interview published by DAILY INDEPENDENT on Friday, September 25, 2026, Dickson said governors must separate their personal political interests from their responsibility to protect political candidates and maintain peace in their states.
Dickson recalled that he received former Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo when he visited Bayelsa State to campaign for Timipre Sylva, whom he described as his political rival at the time. He said he went to the airport to receive Osinbajo and also opened the Government House to welcome the delegation.
Dickson also recalled how he allowed then-presidential candidate Muhammadu Buhari to use the Bayelsa Stadium for his campaign despite Buhari campaigning against the PDP government. He said he took the step because it was his responsibility as governor to provide a safe environment for political activities.
In his words, “I received Vice-President Osinbajo, who was coming to campaign for my arch-political rival at the time, Timipre Sylva. I had to go to the airport to receive him. I had to open Government House to welcome them. That’s what you do as a governor. As a governor, you must make a distinction between your personal political interest and your party, and the higher values that you must protect.”
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