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Dickson Denies Wrongdoing Over Assembly’s Refusal To Swear-In Three Assembly Members-Elect

The State House of Assembly had in the last few weeks been criticized over its refusal to swear-in Alfred Belemote (All Progressives Grand Alliance, Brass 2), ‎Gabriel Ogbara (African Democratic Congress, Ogbia 2) and Gibson Munalayefa (Labour Party, Ogbia 2) two months after being declared winners of the Assembly election by the Court of Appeal.

Bayelsa State Governor Henry Seriake Dickson distanced himself from controversy triggered by the alleged refusal of the leadership of the State House of Assembly to swear-in three elected members of the opposition parties into the Assembly.

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The State House of Assembly had in the last few weeks been criticized over its refusal to swear-in Alfred Belemote (All Progressives Grand Alliance, Brass 2), ‎Gabriel Ogbara (African Democratic Congress, Ogbia 2) and Gibson Munalayefa (Labour Party, Ogbia 2) two months after being declared winners of the Assembly election by the Court of Appeal.

The controversy also led to a letter of warning sent to the governor by the State Police Command and a coalition of elder statesmen known as the Bayelsa First Initiative. They warned about a possible breach of security following the refusal of the State House of Assembly to swear-in the three elected members.

Critics have accused Mr. Dickson of colluding with the State Assembly leadership to prevent the three elected members from being sworn in.

The State Commissioner of Information and Orientation, Jonathan Obueibite, dissociated the governor from the alleged controversy.

“The Bayelsa State Governor has never interfered with the affairs of the State House of Assembly. The State Assembly is not subject to the unilateral control of the State Executive,” Mr. Obueibite said.

The spokesman described the controversy as an “internal affair,” adding, “the people should not drag the State Governor into it. As a former legislator, the Governor has promoted independence of the legislature.”

Mr. Obuebite also denied the claim that the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Kombowei Benson, instructed the aggrieved State Assembly members-elect to plead with the Governor to be sworn-in, stating, “it is a lie and I challenge them to come forward with such evidence on the claim.”

He also denied knowledge of the letter of warning issued by the Bayelsa State Police Command.

“We are not aware of such a letter. We heard and read about it on the pages of the newspaper like everybody.”

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