Senator Seriake Dickson, who represents Bayelsa West, has clarified why he stepped away from the Senate committee probing former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, over an alleged diversion of $14.8 million belonging to the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB).
In a statement posted on his Meta account on Saturday, Dickson said he recused himself because the investigation appeared “selective” and not as broad or thorough as he believed it should be.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had earlier declared Sylva wanted on November 10 for alleged conspiracy and the unlawful conversion of $14.8 million from the NCDMB.
Dickson explained that he initially attended the committee meeting under the impression that it was a routine engagement with the Executive Secretary of the NCDMB and his team. However, he said he later discovered the session was convened specifically to examine the allegations against Sylva.
He wrote, “Yesterday, at the meeting of the Senate Committee on Local Content, I had cause to recuse myself when I got to know that it was an investigative hearing summoned to investigate allegations of diversion of $14.8 million against the former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva.”
According to him, the investigation should not focus on one individual or a single transaction if the intention is genuine accountability.
Dickson added, “When I discovered that the hearing was specifically summoned for that purpose, I raised objections—firstly, on the ground that there should be no selective inquiry; that the entirety of the management of the fund, perhaps from inception, should be investigated, if at all, and not just one transaction.”
He acknowledged that the committee had the authority to decide what to investigate but felt the exercise was unnecessary since the EFCC had already taken significant steps in the matter. He argued that the Senate panel did not need to revisit a case that was already moving through official channels.
Beyond procedural concerns, Dickson stressed that his decision was also personal. Sylva, he noted, is a former governor of his state and his immediate predecessor in office. He emphasized that he maintains a principle of not participating in actions aimed at damaging others, regardless of political differences.
“I recused myself because the person affected is a former governor of my state — my predecessor in office, and I have a policy of not joining to fight or pull down anyone. I am not like other politicians from my area or the typical politicians in Nigeria who celebrate the downfall of opponents…”
Dickson stated that political rivalry should not extend into actions that worsen the challenges of anyone involved. He said he keeps his political battles strictly within elections and legal avenues, not personal vendettas.
The senator further explained that although he and Sylva have long been on opposing sides politically, he has always maintained support, fairness, and neutrality toward all Bayelsans, regardless of party affiliation. He added that he has never believed in using political power to destroy others.
He wrote, “As I have always told our people, ‘we are few’; everyone is important. If you cannot help someone, leave the person alone, and don’t destroy them.” He maintained that his political success has always come through “God and the support and prayers of men,” not hostility or exploitation of opponents’ misfortunes.
Dickson concluded by informing the public of his stance to prevent misconceptions as the Senate committee proceeds with its hearing: “I would like the public, who know I am a member of the committee, to know my stand, as the committee progresses with the investigative hearing, which they have the powers to do.”
In response to the allegations against Sylva, his Special Assistant on Media and Public Affairs, Julius Bokoru, rejected the EFCC’s move, describing it as a “coordinated political onslaught” intended to damage Sylva’s public image.
What You Should Know
The Senate’s investigation concerns an alleged $14.8 million diversion linked to the NCDMB, for which the EFCC has already declared former minister Timipre Sylva wanted.
Senator Seriake Dickson withdrew from the probe, arguing that the investigation was selective and that he would not participate in efforts that could harm a political opponent from his state.
Meanwhile, Sylva’s camp has dismissed the allegations as politically motivated.
