By Amos Okioma
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has said that there was no rift between him and Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, contrary to perceptions held by some.
Jonathan spoke on his relationship with Dickson at his Otuoke country home when Gov Dickson led a Bayelsa government team on a condolence visit over the demise of Paramount Ruler of Otuoke, Chief Lot Ogiasa.
Jonathan recalled that he persuaded Dickson to join Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and wondered why some people were using politics to create crisis where none existed.
“There is no way I can sit anywhere and plan evil against Bayelsa or the Governor. When I was dreaming of becoming a governor, Dickson was among the very few in the meetings we were holding, although he was not in PDP he opted to help.
“He said he he didn’t want to be in the PDP but I virtually forced him to join PDP.
“When I became Governor , I appointed Dickson Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General and that was how he joined PDP and later became a member of House of Representatives and so on.
“There is no way I will break my relationship with the governor,” Jonathan said.
Dickson said that he was part of the Ogiasa family and by extension, the Otuoke Community of Ogbia Local Government Area.
”We are here in full force as we have always done to commiserate with you, my elder brother, leader and the Ogiasa family in this hour of bereavement.
“We pray God to grant the Ogiasa eternal repose,” Dickson said.
The governor, who also dispelled rumour of any rift with the former president, said that Jonathan would continue to remain his leader, having come a long way with the former president.
He called on those who want to cause imaginary differences between him and Jonathan to have a rethink.
“Both of us have come a long way. My personal political story can not be complete without talking about my elder brother, Jonathan.
“He also knows that I made little contribution that is recorded in the political chapter of his life,” Dickson said.
Dickson noted both he and Jonathan are not running for any office and wondered why political jobbers are bent on destroying their good relationship.