- Bayelsa State is represented in Nigeria's Senate by three senators
- The Senators play an important role in lawmaking, oversight of government activities, and advocacy for their constituents
- TheRadar compiled the Senators representing the People of Bayelsa State in the 10th National Assembly
As part of our ongoing "Know Your Lawmakers" series, we take a closer look at the senators representing Bayelsa State in the National Assembly for the 2023–2027 term.
Bayelsa State, known as the "Glory of All Lands," was created in 1996 from Rivers State. Its capital, Yenagoa, is central to the state's administration and development.
The name "Bayelsa" was derived from the first few letters of the major local government areas that made up the state. They are Brass (BALGA), Yenagoa (YELGA), and Sagbama (SALGA).
Bayelsa's senators hold significant responsibilities within the National Assembly. These include lawmaking, the impeachment of high-ranking officials, and the confirmation of presidential appointments.
Also, they play a key role in advocating for the needs and interests of their constituents, ensuring their voices are heard at the national level.
Here is a list of the senators representing the people of Bayelsa State in the 10th National Assembly:
1. Henry Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa West)
Henry Seriake Dickson, born on January 28, 1966, in Bayelsa State, currently represents Bayelsa West in the Nigerian Senate. A lawyer and politician, Dickson’s career spans several key positions in both state and national politics.
Dickson’s political journey began with the Alliance for Democracy, where he served as the chairman of the Bayelsa State chapter and later as the national legal adviser. His rise to prominence continued in 2006 when then-Governor Goodluck Jonathan appointed him Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of Bayelsa State.
From 2007 to 2012, Dickson served as a member of the House of Representatives, marking his entry into national politics. His political journey peaked with his election as Governor of Bayelsa State, a position he held from February 14, 2012, to February 14, 2020.
In 2020, Dickson transitioned to the Senate, winning the Bayelsa West Senatorial bye-election. He was re-elected in 2023 and currently chairs the Senate Committee on Ecology and Climate Change.
Beyond his political accomplishments, Dickson is known for his contributions to education and human capacity development in his constituency. Through his Education Support Scheme, he has awarded grants to over 1,000 recipients and has been a continuous advocate for the advancement of education in Bayelsa West.
2. Benson Sunday Agadaga (Bayelsa East)
Benson Sunday Agadaga, born June 12, 1956, is a Nigerian politician currently serving as a first-time senator, representing the Bayelsa East Senatorial District, having been elected in the 2023 general election.
Before his tenure in the Senate, Agadaga held several significant roles in Bayelsa State. He served as Special Adviser on Establishment during the administration of Governor Seriake Dickson. In 2019, Agadaga briefly declared his intention to run for the governorship of Bayelsa State but ultimately withdrew from the race.
He was appointed Chief of Staff to Governor Douye Diri on February 20, 2020. He held this position until 2022 when he resigned to pursue a seat in the National Assembly.
In the February 25, 2023, Senate elections, Agadaga won the Bayelsa East seat, securing 22,517 votes to defeat the incumbent senator, Fremieyo Degi of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
As part of his legislative move, Agadaga has been an advocate for infrastructural development and climate action in the South-South region. He led the debate on the bill seeking to establish the South-South Development Commission (SSDC), a body designed to tackle regional infrastructural deficits, including loss and damages in the region.
3. Konbowei Friday Benson (Bayelsa Central)
Senator Konbowei Friday Benson, representing Bayelsa Central Senatorial District under the banner of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was acquitted of charges related to certificate forgery. The ruling was delivered by the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory in Apo on June 24.
Benson, currently serving his first term in the Senate, was initially charged with forging academic credentials. However, the prosecution, led by lawyer Reuben Egwuaba, requested to withdraw the charges after the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, retracted the authorization to pursue the case.
Justice Christopher Oba, while acquitting Benson, struck out the charges and rejected the defence's request to have the case dismissed outright.
Benson's political career began in 1991 when he joined the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP). He was later elected as a pioneer councillor in Southern Ijaw Local Government Council before rising to the position of Executive Chairman of the council in 1997, despite facing strong opposition.
Know Your Lawmakers Series: Here are the senators representing Anambra state in 10th Assembly
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that Anambra State, established on 27 August 1991, has three senators representing the state’s three senatorial districts in the National Assembly.
TheRadar profiled the three senators representing the people of Anambra state in the 10th National Assembly.