Dickson fires 2 aides loyal to Patience Jonathan

Seriake Dickson, governor of Bayelsa state, has relieved two of his aides of their jobs for alleged loyalty to First Lady Patience Jonathan.

Dickson, whose sour relationship with the president’s wife is down to her opposition to his reelection bid, directed his aides not to attend the wedding of Inebharapu Paul, an adopted daughter of the president.

Jonathan’s wife was supporting Waripamowei Dudafa, the special assistant to the president on domestic matters, to take over Dickson’s job.

Dickson was reported to have told his aides to stay away from the wedding, which took place at Otuoke, the home town of President Goodluck Jonathan, on Saturday, in a bid to reduce the influence of Patience in the state.

However, Marie Ebikake, the commissioner for local government and Remi Kuku, the special adviser to the governor on federal government projects, not only flouted the directive but also joined those who received the first lady.

This annoyed Dickson, prompting him to order their sack.

In a statement issued on Monday, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, the chief press secretary to the governor  notified Ebiake and Kuku of their dismissal from the Bayelsa state civil service with immediate  effect.

Though no concrete reason was given for the decision, the statement said Dickson thanked them for their service to the state and wished them well in their future endeavours.

As far back as 2012 while the going was good, Dickson appointed the first lady as a permanent secretary in the state civil service and lashed out those who criticised him over the appointment.

But Jonathan’s wife, who was never active on the job, resigned in October 2014.

By that time, their relationship had broken down irretrievably.