…Says; past governors received opponents at Airports, Govt Houses
The national leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Seriake Dickson, has decried what he described as “deterioration” in political conduct and tolerance despite the good examples set by political leaders in the past.
The former governor of Bayelsa State therefore said that leaders must make a distinction between their personal partisan interests and what their general duties should be and obligations, as governor and also as president.
In his words; “You must make a distinction between your own personal partisan interests and what your general duties should be and obligations, as governor and also as president”.
Dickson, who stated these on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, when he featured on Arise Television programme, particularly questioned why things seem to be getting worse in Nigeria.
Dickson, who spoke against the backdrop of the recent attacks on the Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) Mr. Peter Obi by political thugs in Benue State, urged governors and other political office holders to distinguish between their personal partisan interests and the broader responsibilities attached to public office.
He stressed that political tolerance and respect for opponents had previously been demonstrated by governors across party lines, stressing that the point has to be made in all political conversations, that this is not the way Nigerians have been doing things.
Dickson particularly referenced his experience during the 2015 election period, when he participated in a campaign in Edo State against then-Governor Adams Oshiomhole.
In the words of Dickson; “We went to a campaign in Edo against Governor Oshiomhole. Oshiomhole was there at the airport, receiving President Jonathan and the delegation of which I was part.
“I travelled to Anambra State to campaign for Peter Obi, who was governor of the state at the time. We went to Anambra to campaign for my friend, Peter Obi then, as governor, was at the airport to receive us.
“I received then-Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and APC governors when they came to Bayelsa to campaign against me during my second-term bid.
“And as I’ve told you, I was at the airport and received Vice President Osinbajo and the APC governors, who were coming to campaign against me in my second term. The toughest gubernatorial election, my state has ever seen.
“I allowed a political rival, Silva, whom had not been on speaking terms with me before that day, into the Government House. And we had to do that. I even had to say, allow Silva, who before that day, were not even in talking terms. I said, allow him into Government House that day,” he stated.
Dickson stressed that such actions were necessary because elected officials must understand that holding public office comes with responsibilities that transcend party politics and personal rivalries.
