I have read with great sense of awe and pity for the promoters of recent propagandas against Dr. Waripamowei Dudafa a onetime Special Assistant to Ex-President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. These media attacks against Dr. Dudafa has been promoted and piloted by no other person or persons than the incumbent governor of Bayelsa state and his media goons.

Before I go on, it is imperative that I quote the Bayelsa state governor on the said Dr. Dudafa who they have found worthy of maligning. This statement was made on the day of the occasion of conferment of Doctor of Phillosophy Degree on the former Commissioner for Chieftaincy and local government affairs in Bayelsa state. Hear the governor-“Dr. Dudafa in his relatively young life has served Bayelsa State with distinction and consummate industry in every capacity in which his worthy endowments had been required at both the legislative and executive arms of governance… it is important that he is not losing sight of self-improvement, despite his commitment to serve Bayelsa State and Nigeria”

After reading and rereading this statement by the governor, I was forced to posit that politics is really a funny game which is hinged on opportunism if not how can one explain the fact that the same man who made the above comment can suddenly discover that the man whom he was praise singing has suddenly lost all the attributes that was ascribed to him.

The truth is that Dr. Waripamowei Dudafa has not lost the said attributes rather it is the media goons of the state governor that have lost touch with rationality and reality on ground. Dudafa still represents the positive side of Bayelsa state and sill command high regard and respect in the state especially amongst his followers. His love for the progress of the state and commitment to the people has not been an issue for question. It is rather unfortunate that politics can make a rational mind lose his or her sense of rationality but we cannot belittle ourselves always all in the name of politics.

The Bayelsa gubernatorial election is by the corner and all political jobbers have been mobilized by all the stakeholders in the political firmament of the state but it is imperative that we understand that decorum in politics is a virtue that must be kept. Dr. Waripamowei Dudafa has as a matter of decency kept his cool despite all the attacks but such should not be taken as weakness. He has made his position clear as a responsible citizen of the state by distancing himself from the governor’s reelection bid. This he did base on principle and no matter the psychological pressure on him by equating his principled stance with disloyalty for his former boss whom he has the utmost regard for will hold water.

The developmental needs of Bayelsa are huge and enormous. Instead of looking at how to tackle these pressing needs in the state, the state government has been on a wild goose chase against perceived political enemies. This chase has in all sphere belittled his administration in the eyes of the public.

That the former President and his amiable wife are supporting his reelection bid is understandable especially from party perspective but from another perspective especially from a private citizen like Dr. Dudafa, his position on the governor should be respected also. His principled stance cannot be wished away especially considering the level of acrimony against him by the underperforming governor.

As I round up this piece I must stress once again that Dr. Dudafa remains a respected man in the state and in the country at large. His contributions to the state and the country cannot be wished away by mere propaganda. It will take more than the propagandas of the renowned Josef Goebbles and other notable propagandists in this world to achieve such.

As Special Assistant to the former President, the experience he brought to bear in the running of the office was nothing short of efficiency and effectiveness encapsulated in sagacious management of the affairs of his office. This is evidenced in the words of President Jonathan on the said day he was conferred with the Doctorate degree by the University of Port Harcourt.

Hear him “It is my hope that your acquisition of a doctoral degree will not only inspire you to loftier aspirations but also further enhance your capacity to continue to render worthy service to our dear nation, especially at this point when the country is in dire need of the re-commitment of men and women of good will to our national transformation efforts.”

With the word of a great leader like this on Dr. Dudafa, I wonder what his detractors will say to counter this position.

By Messiah Nwokoma