Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, has claimed as untrue, the insinuations in certain quarters that he intends to drop his Deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, in his re-election bid.
He denied the accusation while speaking at his country home, Sampou, in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of the state when he played host to the immediate past governor of the state, Senator Seriake Dickson.
Governor Diri who noted that such rumours were baseless, stressed that his deputy has contributed significantly to the success of his administration and it will be unthinkable to drop him.
A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, quoted the Governor as saying, ‘ the Diri/Ewhrudjakpo ticket was a divine project, which God used his predecessor, Senator Dickson, to make a reality.
Diri, who received Dickson in the company of his wife, Dr. Gloria Diri, traditional rulers, and leaders of thought from Kolokuma/Opokuma, restated his appreciation to his predecessor for his role in his emergence as governor of the state, saying himself and the people of Kolokuma/Opokuma will forever be grateful to him.
He also stated that Dickson laid a solid foundation upon which his administration is building and promised not to derail.
The state’s helmsman remarked that as a human he is not perfect and appealed to leaders and the people of the state to support him to enable him deliver the much-needed development.
His words: “We went to Toru-Orua for a Christmas and thank-you visit last week. There are certain things you do for a man and he will thank you until his death and that is what Senator Dickson has done. We never expected that our brother and friend, who has done this great thing, will also visit again today. You did not owe us this.
“On behalf of the kings and people of Kolokuma/Opokuma, we again express our gratitude to you. We are very grateful. God will always use a human and He used you to ensure that a Kolokuma son was picked as governor.
Earlier, Senator Dickson said he was in Sampou on a new year visit and to deepen the relationship between him and the governor, assuring that the success of the current prosperity administration remained his priority.
He said Governor Diri deserves all the honour and support he can get to move the state forward.