A former member of the House of Representatives from Bayelsa State, Isreal Goli has slammed Senator Seriake Dickson over his recent outburst, questioning the democratic credentials of President Bola Tinubu.
Goli in a statement titled: “The hypocrisy of Henry Seriake Dickson – A supposed democrat with an undemocratic legacy,” declared that Sen. Dickson’s criticism of Tinubu’s intervention in Rivers State rings hollow, considering his troubling legacy in Bayelsa State during his eight years rule as governor.
He noted that he was shocked and astonished when he read the outburst of Sen. Dickson on June 12, 2025, questioning the democratic credentials of Tinubu, while his tenure as governor was marked by a blatant disregard for democratic principles, earning him a reputation as one of the most undemocratic leaders in the history of Bayelsa State.
“His administration institutionalized oppression, stifled opposition voices, and exhibited an unparalleled aversion to democratic norms.
“Dickson’s government made political persecution a state policy, targeting opposition figures through fabricated allegations,” the former House member alleged.
Also, Goli recalled the harrowing experience the present Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Samuel Ogbuku and himself had under Sen. Dickson administration in Bayelsa State.
He stated that Ogbuku and himself were falsely accused of murder and were targeted for assassination or imprisonment.
Goli disclosed that while he escaped arrest, Ogbuku was unlucky as he was held in prison custody for months.
“Dickson falsely accused Samuel Ogbuku and me of murder, and weaponizing state machinery to crush dissent. The systematic suppression of opposing voices defined his leadership, ensuring that political rivals were either sidelined or silenced.
“Following the unceremonious end of the administration in which I served as the special adviser on youths to then Governor Timipre Sylva in 2012, Dickson outrightly withheld my severance payment, along with those of other appointees who served under that administration.
“His refusal was based solely on our decision to remain loyal to our principal rather than align with him. Only those who crossed over to his camp received their severance benefits.
“To this day, those of us who stood firm have yet to receive the severance payments rightfully owed to us.
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“In 2015, while serving as a member of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly representing Brass Constituency 1, I faced an unjust denial of my constitutional entitlements as directed by Dickson.
“He actively sought to frustrate my tenure, ensuring I was excluded from official functions, including foreign travel opportunities with my colleagues, and denied me my constituency projects.”
“Upon completing my tenure in the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, I had no option but to seek justice through the Code of Conduct Bureau.
“My petition prompted an investigation that uncovered the unjust treatment I had experienced at the hands of the then Speaker, Konbowei Benson, who is now a senator representing Bayelsa Central,” Goli said.
He also pointed at Sen. Dickson’s dislike for members of opposition parties and the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“Dickson’s aversion to democratic governance was further highlighted in his public declaration that he does not recognize any of the lawmakers from the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), as well as those from other political parties.
“Though the opposition legislators were duly elected, he brazenly asserted that only representatives from his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), deserved recognition,” the former federal lawmaker added.
He further accused the senator of dividing the state along ethnic lines to score cheap political advantage and of ignoring the rotation agreement reached among political leaders in local government areas and senatorial districts in the state.
