Bayelsa State Deputy Governor, John Gboribiogha Jonah, has denied reports that he had abandoned his office and travelled out of the state after the Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson embarked on a three-week annual vacation.
It will be recalled that Dickson officially commenced his annual leave on August 15 after about two postponements which he said was due to official engagements as Chairman of the PDP National Reconciliation Committee.
The state House of Assembly which is currently on recess had earlier approved the Governor’s request to go on vacation.
No sooner had Dickson departed Yenagoa for the vacation than the deputy governor was said to have also jetted out of the state, leaving the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Edmund Allison-Oguru, to represent the governor at events.
But the deputy Governor dismissed reports that he had abandoned governance and travelled out of the state.
The Special Assistant to the Deputy Governor on Media, Ebi Evinson said yesterday that his boss did not abandon his office in the absence of the governor.
Jonah said it was only last week he travelled to attend the PDP South-South meeting in Calabar, Cross River State, and returned to Yenagoa on Saturday.
“That’s not correct. It’s not true that he has abandoned governance and travelled out of the state”, he stated in a telephone interview.
“The information is not correct. He only travelled last week and came back on Saturday after the PDP South-South meeting in Calabar. He is in the state and has been coming to his office to perform his duty”, he added.
But since the Governor went on vacation, the deputy Governor was hardly seen in the state as the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Professor Alison Oguru was always representing the Governor at public functions. Activities in the state had been in comatose since the Governor travelled.
