“Nobody Made Him, He Made Everyone!” — Diri’s Spokesman, Daniel Alabrah, Sparks Fresh Bayelsa Political Firestorm As Dickson’s Supporters Fire Back

By Passman Akpos

The political atmosphere in Bayelsa State has witnessed another round of heated exchanges following a cryptic social media commentary by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Douye Diri, Daniel Alabrah, which has triggered widespread reactions and renewed discussions about political mentorship, loyalty, gratitude and the influence of political benefactors.

Alabrah, who serves as the official spokesperson to Governor Diri, took to social media with a statement that appeared to challenge the notion that any particular individual was responsible for making another person politically relevant.

In his post, he wrote:

“After Almighty God, there’s also one man who made everyone else become somebody. And nobody made him.

What a Genius!”

The statement immediately attracted reactions from Bayelsans, particularly against the backdrop of the increasingly public disagreement between former Governor and Senator representing Bayelsa West, Henry Seriake Dickson, and his successor, Governor Douye Diri.

Apparently responding to the reactions generated by his initial post, Alabrah questioned why some individuals were becoming agitated over what he described as a complimentary statement.

“All of you foaming in the mouth because of the lead post, what if the person you assume is not the one?

Come to think of it, is this post not complimentary?

Think,” he added.

Although Alabrah did not explicitly identify the individual being referred to, several commentators interpreted the post through the lens of the ongoing political disagreement involving Dickson and Diri.

The ambiguity has become a major talking point, with some Bayelsans suggesting that the statement was directed at a particular political figure, while others insisted that it should not be interpreted as an attack on anyone.

BAYELSANS REVISIT DICKSON, JONATHAN AND DIRI’S POLITICAL HISTORY

One of the most significant aspects of the online debate has been the attempt by commentators to reconstruct the political relationships that shaped Bayelsa’s leadership over the years.

Some participants argued that political success is rarely the product of one individual’s efforts, insisting that influential political figures often benefit from the support, opportunities and sacrifices of others.

They recalled the political history involving former President Goodluck Jonathan, former Governor Henry Seriake Dickson and Governor Douye Diri.

Jonathan succeeded former Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha in 2005 and subsequently became Vice-President in 2007.

Dickson, who was appointed Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice under Jonathan’s administration in 2006, later emerged as governor in 2012.

Similarly, Dickson played a significant political role in the emergence of Diri as the Peoples Democratic Party’s governorship candidate in 2019.

Diri eventually became governor on February 14, 2020, following the Supreme Court’s disqualification of the APC governorship candidate, David Lyon, and the subsequent declaration of Diri as the winner.

These historical developments have provided the background for arguments about whether political leaders should acknowledge the individuals who contributed to their political journeys.

‘NOBODY SUCCEEDS ALONE’ — COMMENTATORS CHALLENGE THE NARRATIVE

Reacting to the controversy, one commentator, Jonah Inimaza Ayawei, questioned the apparent contradiction in the arguments surrounding political benefactors.

He wrote:

“Shey na wetin Dickson been de do Goodluck, Diri de do am now. U no fit cheat nature jaree!”

The comment suggested that the relationship between political benefactors and beneficiaries could be viewed as a recurring feature of Bayelsa politics.

Another participant argued that the statement should not necessarily be interpreted as referring to any individual in Bayelsa State.

According to the commentator, the post was complimentary rather than confrontational.

However, another contributor insisted that the issue of political gratitude should be examined within the context of the support individuals received before attaining positions of influence.

One particularly pointed reaction stated:

“If you talk about the favour you render on someone, you should also remember the favour others render on you as well too. You didn’t make yourself, people always played big roles for you to be where you are today.”

The argument reinforced the position that political achievements should not be presented as entirely individual accomplishments without acknowledging the contributions of others.

‘GOODLUCK JONATHAN ALSO PLAYED A ROLE’ — DEBATE OVER DICKSON’S POLITICAL EMERGENCE

Another participant questioned why discussions about political benefactors appeared to focus on certain individuals while overlooking the contributions of others.

The commentator argued that former President Goodluck Jonathan also played an important role in Dickson’s political journey.

The reaction suggested that if political leaders were going to discuss who helped whom, the conversation should recognise the broader network of relationships and opportunities that contributed to their respective political careers.

Another contributor, however, defended Dickson’s role in Diri’s emergence, arguing that the former governor fought politically for Diri when other influential stakeholders reportedly preferred a different candidate.

The commentator wrote:

“There’s a difference. Dickson fight for Douye Diri. Everybody wanted Timi Alaibe.”

The disagreement illustrates the competing interpretations of political history and the extent to which individual leaders deserve recognition for the emergence of their successors.

‘THE GOVERNOR’S ACHIEVEMENTS SHOULD BE THE STRONGEST DEFENCE’ — CALL FOR STRATEGIC SILENCE

Amid the exchanges, another commentator offered a different perspective, urging government officials and political supporters to avoid turning every political disagreement into an opportunity for confrontation.

The contributor argued that certain political statements do not require immediate responses, particularly when the facts surrounding the issue are already publicly known.

The commentator maintained that nobody succeeds entirely through personal efforts and that those occupying influential positions in government should demonstrate maturity in their public communications.

The contributor further argued that Governor Diri’s infrastructural achievements should provide the strongest response to criticisms of his administration.

The reaction concluded with an appeal for strategic communication, warning that sometimes silence communicates more effectively than prolonged arguments on social media.

‘THE FEAR OF HSD IS THE BEGINNING OF WISDOM’ — HENRY SERIAKE DICKSON’S NAME ENTERS THE CONVERSATION

Other reactions were more direct, with some commentators accusing Alabrah of indirectly referring to Dickson without openly mentioning his name.

One participant challenged the governor’s spokesperson to be explicit about the individual he was referring to.

Another sarcastically suggested that Alabrah should consult his principal before making subsequent political posts.

A particularly pointed reaction declared:

“The fear of HSD is the beginning of wisdom.”

The comment reflected the interpretation among some participants that the post was connected to the ongoing disagreement between Dickson and Diri, although Alabrah himself did not identify Dickson as his subject.

Another contributor invoked the importance of remembering political benefactors, warning against what the commentator described as ingratitude towards individuals who previously offered support.

DICKSON’S RECENT OUTBURST PROVIDES THE BACKGROUND

The latest social media controversy comes barely a day after Dickson publicly criticised Diri over his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress.

During his homecoming ceremony in Toru-Orua on October 30, 2026, Dickson accused his successor of abandoning the political structure and sacrifices that contributed to his emergence as governor.

The former governor maintained that Diri’s victory was effectively donated to him without the financial and political struggles that usually accompany governorship elections.

He also recalled the various positions Diri occupied under his political leadership before eventually becoming governor.

Dickson’s comments have since generated considerable debate about political loyalty, succession arrangements, mentorship and the responsibilities of political beneficiaries towards those who supported their emergence.

His decision to align with the Nigeria Democratic Congress and support Peter Obi ahead of the 2027 general elections has further complicated the political relationship between the two former political allies.

THE BIGGER QUESTION: CAN POLITICAL BENEFICIARIES FORGET THEIR BENEFACTORS?

Beyond the personalities involved, the controversy has reopened an important political discussion in Bayelsa State: Should political leaders remain indebted to those who helped them rise, or should political succession eventually produce independent leadership?

While some commentators believe that political benefactors deserve recognition and appreciation, others argue that political achievements should not become permanent instruments of control over those who eventually occupy public offices.

There is also the argument that political mentorship should be distinguished from political ownership, particularly in a democratic system where elected officials are ultimately accountable to the electorate.

For now, Daniel Alabrah’s seemingly complimentary statement has generated a debate that extends beyond its original wording.

Whether the post was directed at Dickson, another political figure or simply intended as a general observation remains unclear.

What is increasingly evident, however, is that the political disagreement between Dickson and Diri has moved beyond party defection and political succession into a wider public conversation about who made whom, who deserves gratitude and whether anyone can genuinely claim to have made others without acknowledging those who contributed to their own journey.