The allegation was made by the Coordinator of Ofurumapepe Media, Gabriel Ukuta, in a statement issued on Friday, November 6, 2026. He accused the Bayelsa State Government of encouraging political intolerance and creating unnecessary tension ahead of the visit.
According to Ukuta, Dickson had scheduled Saturday, November 7, 2026, to visit Angalabiri Community to appreciate residents for their support and interact with them in a peaceful atmosphere.
However, he alleged that two government officials, Dr Peter Akpe and Hon. Lucky Youbougha, had organised an emergency counter-rally in the same community ahead of the former governor’s arrival.
Ukuta described the development as an attempt to undermine Dickson’s engagement with the people, questioning why a routine appreciation visit should attract opposition from those in government.
He further alleged that the planned counter-rally reflected what he described as a recurring pattern by the APC-led administration of organising rival political events whenever the NDC holds political activities.
The statement referenced previous NDC activities in Yenagoa and other parts of the state, alleging that similar counter-events had been organised around Oxbow Lake and Swali.
According to Ukuta, extending the alleged practice to Angalabiri was unnecessary, particularly as Dickson’s visit was intended to appreciate the community rather than engage in political confrontation.
He questioned the government’s alleged opposition to the visit, asking why a peaceful interaction between a politician and residents should generate apprehension among those in power.
Ukuta maintained that democracy should allow political parties to engage freely with citizens without intimidation, obstruction or unnecessary rivalry.
He also warned that organising competing political events in the same location and around the same time could create tension, misunderstandings and possible confrontations among supporters of different political groups.
The Ofurumapepe Media coordinator compared the alleged actions of the present administration with Dickson’s tenure as governor, claiming that his government made public facilities, including the state stadium and Oxbow Lake Pavilion, available to opposition parties for political rallies, alongside necessary security arrangements.
He expressed disappointment over what he described as seven years of political pettiness and attempts to project a false sense of political superiority in Bayelsa State.
Ukuta consequently called on the state government to exercise restraint and prioritise the safety of Angalabiri residents rather than allow partisan interests to create divisions within the community.
He further insisted that the NDC would not abandon its political engagements because of alleged attempts to frustrate its activities, stressing that political persuasion should take precedence over intimidation.
Despite the controversy, Ukuta maintained that Dickson’s thank-you visit to Angalabiri would proceed as scheduled, concluding with the declaration that “Ofurumapepe will be everywhere”.
