Dickson accuses Diri of handing Bayelsa to APC; governor’s aide says he will not respond

Former Bayelsa governor Seriake Dickson accused his successor, Douye Diri, of joining the APC and effectively handing the state to a party that had never won it at the ballot box. Speaking after returning to Bayelsa and the opening of the NDC state secretariat, Dickson said Diri had abandoned the political structure that supported his rise and criticized the lack of federal benefits for Bayelsa. He urged his supporters to remain peaceful and avoid personal attacks on the governor. An aide to Diri said the governor would not respond to the allegations.