– Seriake Dickson recuses himself
Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — Former Bayelsa State governor and Senator representing Bayelsa West, Henry Seriake Dickson, has recused himself from an investigative hearing probing alleged diversion of $14.8 million linked to former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva.
The hearing, convened by the Senate Committee on Local Content, is examining the financial management of a key oil and gas fund. But Dickson said the inquiry appeared “selective” and risked undermining the broader governance demands of Nigeria’s petroleum sector.
Speaking after withdrawing from the session, Dickson said he decided to step aside immediately he realised the sitting was specifically summoned to probe the Sylva transaction.
“I attended believing it was an interactive forum with the Executive Secretary and his team,” he said.
“When I discovered that the hearing was specifically summoned for that purpose, I raised objections, firstly, on the ground that there should be no selective inquiry; that the entirety of the management of the fund, perhaps from inception, should be investigated, if at all, and not just one transaction.”
The senator stressed that while the committee had the constitutional powers to investigate any matter under its purview, focusing on a single transaction “raises legitimate questions of fairness and balance,” especially given that the EFCC has already taken steps on the matter.
“It is public knowledge that the EFCC has already taken steps, meaning they have investigated and reached a certain level,” he noted. “I thought the committee need not investigate that particular transaction, even though it has the powers to do so.”
Dickson said his recusal was also guided by a personal principle of not participating in any process that could be seen as targeting a political opponent, especially a former governor of his home state.
“I recused myself because the person affected is a former governor of my state; my predecessor in office, and I have a policy of not joining to fight or pull down anyone,” he stated. “I am not like other politicians from my area or the typical politicians in Nigeria who celebrate the downfall of opponents and people they disagree with.”
He stressed that although he and Sylva have been on opposing political sides since 2011, he does not believe in politics that destroys people after elections. “I build, I raise, I develop, I defend; I don’t destroy or pull down,” he added.
Dickson also told the committee that his politics is anchored on “service to God and man,” insisting that his approach will not change regardless of political rivalry.
“When they are in a position to bring me down, they don’t spare anything to achieve that goal, but to the glory of God, they have not succeeded so far,” he said. “If you cannot help someone, leave the person alone, and don’t destroy them.”
He noted that Bayelsa’s political space is small, and therefore “everyone is important,” adding that he prefers to treat all Bayelsans with fairness, regardless of party differences.
Explaining the atmosphere in the hearing room, Dickson said his colleagues on the committee understood and respected his decision to recuse himself. “They saw reason with me, and I left,” he added.
The senator emphasised that his withdrawal should not affect the committee’s work, acknowledging that the panel retains full authority to continue the investigation.
“I would like the public, who know I am a member of the committee, to know my stand, as the committee progresses with the investigative hearing, which they have the powers to do,” he said.
The Senate probe continues amid growing public interest in transparency around oil and gas funds and the political sensitivities surrounding high-profile figures in the petroleum sector.
