By Owei Ebiagbe
There is no dispute to the legal position that all sons and daughters of Ekeremor and Sagbama Local Government Areas are eminently qualified to contest the senatorial and federal constituency seats as long as they meet the constitutional requirements.
However, politics being what it is goes beyond certain legal terms. This is the reason why even in the Nigerian context, parties seat to discuss and agree on certain extralegal resolutions done to cement and create peace amongst themselves.
This is the same reason that the presidency moves from North to South irrespective of the legal expectations for all free-born to vie for the highest office of the land. This is aimed at maintaining good relationships and balancing the political offices to give all a sense of fairness.
The above reasons are the same by which even in Bayelsa state we deceive ourselves for such agreements of rotation to allow for even representation of all communities, blocks, constituencies and local governments areas.
It is not in dispute that as we enter into another political season, such calls will come up and men of integrity are expected to honour existing agreements not to further heat up the polity and create disunity.
In Bayelsa, such agreements in the senate and federal constituency rotations abound.
In Bayelsa East Senatorial District, for instance, both the senate and federal constituency have such similar rotational principles couched in agreements between the Ogbia, Nembe and Brass people.
This is the reason Chief Henry Seriake Dickson as Governor refused to allow Senator Ben Bruce to return to the senate even though he was absolutely qualified.
The same was done by former President Goodluck Jonathan to his bosom friends Senators Clever Ikisikpo and Nimi Barigha-Amange. This act though against the spirit of the constitution is one founded on fairness and unity. It cements the spirit of unity among the people.
In Bayelsa West Senatorial District, the same rotational principle exists. It is on record that Senator Hieneken Lokpobiri attempted, though very unsuccessfully, to breach it by asking for a third term but the people, the land and God refused.
During his time in Creek Haven, Seriake Dickson was a vocal promoter of this principle. He led Bayelsa West to ensure that the principle remains strong and not disputed. To this end, he organized a meeting of stakeholders to reaffirm its acceptance and implementation.
Thus by doing so he puts a toga of moral and extra-legality to it. He went further to bring in Chief Foster Ogola when it was the turn of the Sagbama people for Senate.
After four years he still insisted that given the eight years of two terms another Sagbama person should be supported and this saw the election of the incumbent Deputy Governor into the senate to complete the second term for the Sagbama people, while Hon. Fred Agbedi remained to complete the eight-year two terms for the Ekeremor people.
When the Supreme Court declared Senator Douye Diri and Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, as Governor and Deputy Governor, their respective senatorial seats became vacant occasioning the need for a by-election.
Thus in the same spirit of honouring the agreement, the people of Ekeremor stood tall and resolute to ensure their son, Rt. Hon. Peremobowei Ebebi was not supported even in his community for his unrighteous attempt to breach the agreement as always seen in some climes.
This unethical conduct was expressed even in the east by Hon. Ikisikpo and Chief Amange. In both cases like the west, their ambitions failed as the people and the leadership jointly with the help of God the custodian of covenant ensured that the agreement is respected.
Today, it is a thing of shame that honour is no longer seen to be a virtue among politicians and political leaders. It is even sadder that a man who once rode on strength and overriding wind of the agreement of rotation is seen deliberately and consciously attempting to create a divide in an otherwise peaceful senatorial district.
The unfortunate thing is that some gullible minds are also encouraging him to breach such people accepted the agreement.
While some will contend that he surely is adequately qualified with the requisite record, the question to be asked is: are there no other eminently qualified people when he also stopped Heineken and others from breaching it?
A quick look will reveal that the likes of Hon. Fred Agbedi will be a ranking member if he gets elected as Senator.
Heineken Lokpobiri, Barr. Seiyefa Mathew, Donald Daunumugha, Felix Okorotie Esq, RB Etolor to mention but a few are all eminently qualified to be senators from Ekeremor.
These are all sons of Ekeremor who have the requisite knowledge erudition and political carriage to be elected as Senator. It is therefore sad and most demeaning for some to attempt such a weak argument in favour of returning the incumbent.
However, the fulcrum of this piece is to point out the implications of this development and the effects it will have on the governorship of the state.
Senator Diri must show true statesmanship and leadership. As a son of Ayamasa community also in Tarakiri clan of the Ekeremor local government area, one who is very conversant with the existing peace according to the rotational principle which he also helped to canvass while the former governor was openly declaring that he will only complete the unexpired term of senator Lawrence.
It will be the hallmark of honour and integrity for him to stay true to his words and his calling as the leader of the state and ensure that no matter whose ox is gored he remains firm and upholds the truth of this very unfortunate development as being orchestrated by no less a person than Dickson, one who should stand tall on the altar of honour but has chosen to fall to the tempting beauties of political office.
In taking this route, Dickson should be reminded that none can play God. He should be reminded again that God used him to salvage the people when Heineken attempted to tow this path of dishonor. In the same way, a Daniel will rise that will ensure his submission that he will only complete the term for the Sagbama turn will be a reality.
But what is more intimidating and of great concern is that the Governor needs to know that his handling of this present situation will surely determine his acceptance and chances of re-election.
Ekeremor and Sagbama people have set a trap for him and if he falls he will have the entire Sagbama and Ekeremor move against him. His actions in standing tall for truth and upholding the people’s position will further raise his acceptance as a true and fearless leader and this will give him a second tenure given his present record.
I can authoritatively submit that if the Governor supports Dickson irrespective of his victory or failure, Diri would lose massive political support and will not be re-elected as this will be a tool in the hands of the opposition and will harm him very deeply.
In my opinion, supporting popular policy and actions is what has catapulted him to this present level of acceptance in the state. Any action to the contrary is counterproductive, to say the least.
2023 and 2024 will be greatly determined by the actions in Bayelsa West Senatorial district and like a tidal wave, it will reshape and redefine the politics of the state.
It is in the interest of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to honor these agreements in all the political units in the State and allow the overriding will of the people to always prevail because democracy is for the people by the people and for the people.
The likes of Dickson in civilized climes would not dare to seek for any elective office again from the point he went against his own claims of being a man of honour and will only complete the remaining term of Lawrence and by extension the Sagbama people.
As we move closer to the party primaries, the true test of leadership upon the Governor, Senator Douye Diri will be stretched to its limit and his actions will determine his political future with particular reference to how he handles this sensitive issue of his maternal home.
Owei Ebiagbe writes from Agge community in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
