By Odie Ramon. Yenagoa.
A former Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, Bayelsa State Chapter, Comrade Bio-Ben Basuo wants political actors in the state, irrespective of party platform, to be united in ensuring that a successor to Governor Douye Diri emerges from Bayelsa East Senatorial District.
The former NLC State Chairman, in a Press Statement, said this is needed in the spirit of fairness and promotion of unity among the people.
While Comrade Basuo commended Governor Douye Diri-led’s administration’s focus on impactful governance, he urged the Governor to sustain power rotation among the three Senatorial Districts as part of his legacy.
Recalling the power shift history to the three Senatorial Districts of the state, the Press Statement also enjoined all political parties to give priority to Bayelsa East while considering their candidates, insisting that it “will foster unity, a sense of belonging, and balanced development across the state”
“As I celebrate these achievements, I humbly appeal to Your Excellency to kindly impress upon the leadership of your party, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), the need for equity and inclusivity in the state’s political representation.”
“In the spirit of fairness, I urge that the next governorship candidate of the PDP be chosen from Bayelsa East Senatorial District. This appeal is anchored on the fact that Bayelsa State has unconsciously developed a systematic approach of rotation.”
“The first was Bayelsa Central with Alamieyeseigha, who led for six (6) years and a half. Then former President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, from the Bayelsa East who took over by virtue of constitutional provision due to the unfortunate truncation of that tenure for a period of the unexpired term and thereafter, Chief Timipre Sylva.”
“In all, Bayelsa East was at the helm for six (6) years and a half. The Bayelsa West then took over and piloted the affairs of the State for the constitutional right (8) years provided. By divine conjecture, leadership rotated back to the Bayelsa Central where, by God’s grace, you have successfully manned the affairs of the state for five (5) years and are now going into your sixth (6th) year.”
“As it stands, leadership has done a full cycle and started all over again. The circumstances of your rise and hold to the rein of power are not just testamentary but indeed a miracle. God spoke that Bayelsa East be allowed to provide leadership at the highest level of the state as a fulfillment of His wish for a peaceful and prosperous Bayelsa, and it is in your hands as an instrument.”
