The imbriglio over the Bayelsa State gubernatorial exercise appears lingering beyond the Peoples Democratic Party [PDP] primary elections and the Independent National Electoral Commission [INEC] controlled electoral exercise recently concluded in the home state of the President of the federal republic of Nigeria, Bayelsa State. This is as available information indicate the treasury of the Bayelsa State has gone into the red.
It is recalled that the President of the federalrepublic of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Ebelemi Jonathan played a pivotal role in the victory of Seriake Dickson during the PDP primaries – the President was fingered as having conorated his political godson to the seat of Bayelsa State governor.
According to credible information received by 247ureports.com through a source close to the State House in Yenogua, the capital of Bayelsa, the coffers of the State government has gone into the red following recent “cash movements” by the newly sworn-in governor of the State, Hon Seriake Dickson. As gathered, the newly sworn-in governor was obligated to make settlements to many groups that were asked [or forced] to step down to enable his accession to the post of governor. Among the personalities settled were Timi Alaibe, Alamesia and others. Our correspondent gathered from official sources that N1.13billion was disbursed for the said settlement.
As gathered, the newly sworn-in Governor made a significant cash movement of N15billion to unknown recipients in Abuja. Cursory inquiry revealed that the newly sworn-in governor – while at a recent stakeholders meeting in Yenogua calmed the nerves of the worried stakeholders who were concerned about the upcoming court case at the Supreme Court between the former governor of the State and the PDP. The newly sworn-in governor assured the stakeholders that he has settled the Supreme Court judges – and that there are not need for worries. Our source quotes the newly sworn-in governor as having said that he has reached out to the Judges of the Supreme Court against the upcoming ruling on March 21, 2012.
Following the meeting at the stakeholders, the newly sworn-in governor made the announcement that he will halt the payment of salaries to civil servants – until the civil service of Bayelsa State is properly audited. He stated that the N6billion salary price tag was excessive. But associates to the Governor discount the governor’s reasons as not completely true. One of his associate indicate that the State was not in the financial position to remit the salaries of the civil servants. He reveals that Gov Dickson is forced to halt all financial transactions as a result.
The remittance of the latest federal allocation to Bayelsa State – in the amounts of about N28billion – was reported to have been expended before the money reached the treasury of Bayelsa State. The Governor who finds himself between a rock and a hard place has reached out to the President of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan for assistance out of the financial quagmire. The governor is faced with defaulting on loan payments and salaries – should the President not come to his rescue. The governor has since visited the Presidency 18 times in the month of March 2012.
Stay tuned
