Senator Henry Seriake Dickson on Friday recused himself from an investigative hearing of the Senate Committee on Local Content.
Dickson's recusal came after he learned that the session was convened to examine an allegation of $14.8 million diversion linked to former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva.
Dickson, who represents Bayelsa West, said he had attended the meeting under the impression that it was an interactive session with the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and his team.
Upon realising that the committee specifically intended to probe the allegation involving Sylva, he raised objections to what he described as a “selective inquiry.”
He argued that if any investigation was considered necessary, it should cover the management of the fund from inception rather than focus on a single transaction.
According to him, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had already taken steps on the matter, suggesting that the committee risked duplicating an ongoing process.
Dickson said he chose to withdraw because Sylva is a former governor of Bayelsa and his predecessor in office, adding that he maintains a personal policy of not contributing to the political or personal downfall of anyone, including rivals.
“We have been on opposing sides since 2011 and we do not meet, speak or share any political agenda.
“But I do not practise politics that involves pulling people down. I limit contest to elections, where I out-campaign and out-strategise opponents, but never by adding to their problems afterwards,” he said.
The senator added that he has consistently supported public officials from Bayelsa and the wider Niger Delta, regardless of party affiliation, stressing that “everyone is important” in a state with a small population.
He said his decision was also guided by his belief that politics should centre on service, development and fairness. “I build, I raise, I defend, I don’t destroy,” he said.
Dickson told colleagues on the committee that the ongoing probe could proceed without him and that his withdrawal was to avoid any perception of bias.
He stressed that he has a responsibility to support Bayelsans in all circumstances, even when they do not extend the same courtesy to him.
Dickson further assured the public that the committee retains full powers to continue the investigative hearing and that his position should not be misinterpreted as interference.
“As the committee progresses, I want the public to know where I stand,” he said.
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