A group under the aegis of Concerned Bayelsa Stakeholders Forum (CBSF) has on Tuesday appealed to governor Douye Diri to take a decisive step to align with the government at the centre.
According to the Forum, “our fathers, High Chief Harold Dappa-Biriye and Chief (Sen.) Dr Melford Obiene Okilo admonished the Ijaw Nation to always align with the government at the centre largely due to our distance from the centre and our difficult terrain in order to attract development to our area”.
In a World Press Conference in Yenagoa the state capital, organized by the CBSF, the convener Mr. Wisdom Ikuli said, their adherence to the advice of the fathers and alignment with the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) that was the government at the centre helped Bayelsa State and the Ijaw Nation to produce the Vice President and later, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of this country in the person of President Goodluck Jonathan.
“Sadly, today Bayelsans and Ijaws in general are not among first 40 Nigerians from the Offices of the President, Vice President and Services Chiefs.
“Ijaws have been relegated and rendered politically and economically redundant and impotent because we are not with the government at the centre.
“Ironically, Ijaws who are the majority in terms of population in the geographic Niger Delta area (South South) and the fourth largest tribe in the country, Ijaw Nation that contribute well over 65% of the oil and gas wealth that are used to run the affairs of the country have been rendered powerless because of our non-alignment with the ruling party.
“Again, there is a power sharing and rotation system between the North and South. The North having done their complete eight (8) years under late President Muhammadu Buhari is supposed to support the South to complete her own eight (8) years under incumbent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu who is working round the clock to strengthen the South.
“The President has graciously appointed illustrious sons and daughters of Ijaw Nation and Bayelsa State in particular into key offices. We appreciate his appointment of Very Distinguished Senator Heineken Lokpobiri Ph.D as Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Chief Samuel Ogbuku as MD of NDDC, Chief Ebitimi Amgbare as MD of NDDBA.
“Others include, Hon. Preye Aganaba as the Executive Director of Human Resources in the newly established South South Development Commission (SSDC), Mr. Agama as DG of the Nigerian Security and Exchange Commission. Among other notable appointments”.
Ikuli speaking further said, they also thank President Tinubu for approving Federal Government take over of the Second Phase of the Nembe-Brass Road that will help to link the Ocean where the vast wealth of Bayelsa State is.
“Presently, Bayelsa State is standing alone as the only PDP state in the whole of South South. The above may not be too much issue. The greatest challenge here is the hijack of the PDP by few individuals and the very dangerous traps that they have set for Bayelsans in 2027 particularly those that intend to fly the flag of PDP.
“There are concluded arrangements to hide under the excuse of crisis and countless court cases in PDP at different levels to work to nullify the Nomination of all Candidates that will emerge under the party platform. So, we can imagine the pains, agony and disarray that the state shall experience if the state remains in PDP.
“The ongoing Coalition is also an embodiment of people who conspired to deny Bayelsa State and indeed the entire Ijaw Nation, a second term at the Presidency in 2015. Thus, the coalition can never be an option.
“It is based on the above that we unanimously appeal to the Governor to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to show Southern Solidarity with other Southern Governors who are with Mr. President.
“But as we move forward, one of the greatest priorities in the alliance with the centre should be the actualization of the Agge Seaport that will help to boost the state economy and also bring about unimaginable transformation and prosperity.
“In the next few days we shall begin a daily Rally on the streets of Yenagoa to prevail on His Excellency to do the needful.
” His Excellency should ignore all opposing voices against his defection. We say this because they are all fighting to protect their individual political interest without prioritizing that of the state and the entire Ijaw Nation”.
He assured governor Douye Diri that vast majority of Bayelsans are with him and together, “we shall move forward” he said.
Concerned bayelsa stakeholders forum is an embodiment of great men and women from various political parties, including non-partisan Bayelsans and non-indigenes and different religious groups.
