Dickson, Ijaw leaders console with Sultan, Tambuwal, others over late Shagari

BAYELSA State Governor Henry Seriake Dickson yesterday led a delegation of Ijaw leaders and traditional rulers to condole with the Sultan of Sokoto, the state government and people on the death of former President Shehu Shagari.

Dickson described Shagari as a great statesman and leader, who belonged to the generation of leaders who designed a progressive alliance between the North and the Southsouth, especially the Ijaw nation. According to the governor, the relationship was mutually beneficial in the interest of the country.

Dickson, in a statement by his Special Adviser, Media Relations Fidelis Soriwei, said Shagari would be remembered for his uncommon capacity for inclusive and responsive governance and the roads and bridges he built in the Niger Delta as President.

However, the governor said it had become necessary for the productive alliance between the North and the Ijaws, who are indigenous to the six coastal states of Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Ondo to be reworked to sustain its mutual benefits.

He added that the alliance should be adjusted and refocused to prevent the neglect of the Niger Delta and the indiscriminate sacking of qualified citizens of the area from their positions.

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Dickson stressed that the Ijaw people deserved better treatment having made sustained efforts and great sacrifices for the growth and stability of the country.

Governor Aminu Tambuwal said the APC lacked the capacity to actualise the nation’s desire for greatness.

He called on the electorate to vote only for leaders with the requisite capacity to govern and the desire to promote the welfare of the people.

The delegation included: King Alfred Diette-Spiff,  King Luke, King Uwaba,  former Minister of Aviation Alabo Tonye Graham-Douglas, AVM Larry Koiyan,  the President of the Ijaw National Congress, Prof. Joseph Ayenka, the Chairman, Bayelsa Council of Elders, Chief Francis Kpakula,  former Director-General of the Department of State Services  Matthew Seiyefa, former Minister of Police Affairs  Broderick Bozimo and former Permanent Secretary Ministry of Power Ambassador God knows Igali.

The delegation also visited the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, and the Shagari family, where they were received by  Bala Shagari, the late President Shuhu Shgari’s eldest son.

The Sultan, who thanked the delegation, also used the opportunity to condole with Dickson on the death of his mother, Ma Goldcoast Dickson.