by Isi Esene

The health condition of Nigeria’s public officers have continued to be an issue of interest with speculation currently making the rounds that the Bayelsa State governor, Seriake Dickson, might also be nursing an ailment.

Dickson is rumoured to be in the United Kingdom attending to an undisclosed ailment holding him there for about three weeks now.

The governor’s information handlers say he is in the United Kingdom to rest and take some time off his stressful daily engagements as governor of the state.

The government released a statement to the effect that the governor was on an official and private tour abroad, maintaining that Dickson was on a working leave.

There was also an indication that Dickson may miss all the activities lined up for the Independence Day and the 16th anniversary celebration for the creation of the state.

The governor’s special adviser on Political Affairs, Fred Agbedi, reportedly said, “Governor Henry Seriake Dickson has gone abroad in his bid to woo investors and develop the state. On a private note, the Governor is also on holiday. He has not gone on holiday since his election into the House of Representatives, which he won after the turbulent rerun, and shortly after that, he went into the governorship primaries.

“He went through a rigorous campaign. Since then he has not taken a deserved rest and that is what he is doing now. The Governor did not travel because of ill-health but he travelled for the interest of the state and to rest

While addressing concerns that the governor might be absent during the Independence Anniversary, Agbedi maintained that there is no law mandating the governor to be physically present at the occasion.

Observers wonder why these excuses sound uncannily similar to that given for the continued stay of Dame Patience Jonathan in Wiesbaden, Germany.