A sociopolitical group, the Ogbia Development and Progressives Congress (ODPC), says the upcoming local government elections in Bayelsa State is another litmus test for the people of Ogbia kingdom to elect the right set of leaders at the grassroots.
According to the group, based on empirical evidence, Ogbia remains the most underdeveloped local government area in the state because of the way successive chairmen and councillors were selected.
The group averred that to correct the mistake of the past, the next executive council chairman must not be a product of political patronage, or else it will be another three years of remarkable ineptitude.
In a statement signed by its spokesman, Mr. Azibataram O. Robert, the group noted that Ogbia deserves the best, after producing great leaders like the late Melford Okilo, and former President Goodluck Jonathan.
They appealed to Governor Douye Diri and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) not to fall for the antics of so-called powerbrokers but to settle for a credible individual with a proven track record of performance.
“Ogbia local government that gave Nigeria its first oil in commercial quantity in 1956 is in dire need of development anchored on pragmatic leadership.
“That’s why the forthcoming local government election in Bayelsa State slated for April as announced by BYSIEC is very important.
“It will afford Governor Douye Diri and the PDP the opportunity to look inward and settle for a candidate with the right leadership qualities to advance the course of development in Ogbia.
“It is important that Governor Douye Diri does not pander to sentiments to hand over the local government to shameless political leaders in the name of godfathers.
“They will in turn hand over the local government to their minions and cronies as elected chairman, vice chairman and councilors just for the single purpose of rent-seeking.
“The level of underdevelopment in Ogbia local government over the years is as a result of the overbearing influence of these so-called godfathers who allegedly use the treasury of the council to fund their personal lifestyle and engage in all manner of frivolous social activities,” the statement reads in part.
The group while listing qualities needed of the next chairman, stated that “Ogbia needs an executive chairman that will go round all communities in the LGA to ascertain their challenges and constantly engage with the people to address those challenges.
“A chairman that has the capacity to collaborate with IOCs to engage the youths and provide employment across the various communities in the LGA
“A chairman that will not plunder the treasury and IGR of the council but rather use it to benefit the people.
“And most importantly, a chairman who will be resident in the local government as his presence will cub insecurity and he will be physically present to attend to issues in the council.”
The statement enjoined Diri to allow the people to elect a chairman of their choice who must be fearless, God-fearing, development-oriented and with a track record of performance in public office.
While noting that he or she must be someone who is committed to the welfare of the people, the statement also advised that such a person must be a core party man or woman with a track record of supporting the party in winning elections.
The group further posited that having zoned the chairmanship position to Ogbia Constituency 2, they equally appealed to the governor and leaders of the PDP to screen all the aspirants who have indicated interest to contest.
They revealed that “Since the office is zoned to Ayama axis, the governor should support the aspirant who won his polling unit, community and at least ward for both 2019 and 2023 gubernatorial elections. It should be support for support.
“From our findings, a number of the aspirants worked for the APC in the 2019 and 2023 gubernatorial elections. They failed in their various polling units and communities. The results are there to show as evidence.”
The group advocated that for the sake of equity, fairness and justice, the PDP should give consideration to Ward 5 to produce a chairman of the Council.
“Ward 2 have produced late Barr. Opukumo, Ward 3, late Engr. I.D. Rex Ogbuku, late T.B Oruama, while Ward 4 has produced the late Hon. Samuel Boy.
“So it is glaring that it is only Ward 5 that is left. More so, in all previous and even the last elections, Ward 4 failed by over 90% to APC.
“Ward 2 managed to pass only gubernatorial elections 52% but failed all other elections. Ward 3 except Otuedu community all other communities fell to the APC because of the NDDC MD,” they argued.
