By: Odieh Ramon, Yenagoa.

Secretary-General of the Movement for the Survival of the Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND), Ambassador Winston Cotterel Amain, and six others have emerged as candidates of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) for the State House of Assembly elections in Bayelsà State.

Ambassador Winston Cotterel Amain emerged as the candidate of the Party to contest for the Nembe Constituency 1 seat.

Also cleared for the State Assembly ticket of the party are Ikioumoton Frederick Ugo (KOLGA 2), Joel Ebiegberi Ilebiri (Southern Ijaw 4), Chief Damiebi Asoh (Sagbama 3), Disney Desire Obakimo (Yenagoa 3), Alfred Iniedimo Apoh (Yenagoa 2), and Pastor Bokolo Eluan (Yenagoa 3).

The APGA State House of Assembly primary panel led by Hon. Obiene Onaemi Ibirino and Panel Secretary, Barr. Philip William Soroh supervised the primaries in the company of the State Chairman, Brisibe Kpodoh.

Speaking with newsmen after the primary, Ambassador Winston Cotterel Amain said he is out to effect a change in the lives of his constituents and ensure equitable distribution of wealth among all the constituencies in the states through motions and laws on the sacred floor of the House.

Amain, who is a founding member of the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) and member of MOSIEND, noted that his decision to join politics is to effect change in the lives of the people of Nembe and ensure that the Local Content Act is domesticated in the state,” when it is domesticated the oil multinationals can no longer take our resources as crude oil and located their operational offices outside the state”

He said, ” I felt this was the time to apply activism to politics to agitate for a better life for my constituents. My people should be proud that I am going to defend them on the floor of the House of Assembly.”

“I plan to ensure that Nembe benefits more from the dividend of democracy. Today, if you go to Nembe, you will see that governance has not been demonstrated in the lives of the people and communities.”

“In my constituency, I want to ensure that the best opportunity we have is evident in the lives of the people. I will work with other Assembly members and the State Government to bring companies and effect development in the area.”

“Our people need to have jobs and other opportunities in the oil and gas industries. Women and youths need to be trained and skills acquired. I will ensure that the Oil Multinationals are accountable to the people. We will ensure that resources available to Nembe are commensurate with resources taken from the communities. It must be equitable.”

Earlier, the State Chairman of APGA, Hon. Brisibe Kpodoh, assured the party flag bearers of the issuance of certificates of return at a scheduled gathering in Anambra State under the Leadership of the State Governor, Charles Chukwuma Soludo CFR.

Kpodoh charged all party flag bearers against anti-party activities and induced defections from the party.

He also warned APGA candidates against acts of stepping down for opposition candidates during general elections. APGA is for the betterment of the people. You need to sit up and work for the progress of the people.”