Until recently, I did not take keen interest in who becomes the next governor of Bayelsa State, but recent defection of some bigwigs of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) since the emergence of the latter, as the ruling party, has attracted my attention to the issue.
Two political parties are in contention for the gubernatorial seat. The PDP has been in power in the state since the inception of the fourth republic in the country. The party has produced four governors in 16 years. It is one of the states in Nigeria with the highest turnover of governors.
The first governor who took office in 1999, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, did not complete his second term. He was impeached over allegations of corruption. Dr Goodluck Jonathan, then deputy governor, took over from Alamieyeseigha.
In 2007, Jonathan emerged as the vice presidential candidate to Alhaji Umaru Yar’Adua, while Chief Timipre Sylva took over the administration of Bayelsa.
Sylva was however disallowed from contesting for second term by Jonathan who had emerged president.
Meanwhile, Sylva was accused of having nothing concrete to show as the governor of the state.
Then came Seriake Dickson, who was the ‘anointed’ candidate and the fourth governor of the state courtesy of Jonathan, the then president.
Dickson is currently battling to survive within and outside his party, the PDP. Only time will tell if he will win next year’s election as the APC, the ruling party at the federal level, is determined to wrest power from the PDP and occupy the Creek Haven Government House, Yenagoa come 2016. APC has made inroads in the state since its formation. Two major factors responsible for the APC popularity in Bayelsa are the internal crisis in the PDP and defection of some big names from the PDP to the APC. The APC may be on the way to take over the administration of the state.
But as the December governorship election in the state draws nearer, prominent indigenes of the state from the two main parties have shown interest in contesting the poll.
It is true that Bayelsa is a traditional PDP state but if PDP fails to put its house in order, a good candidate from another party may be considered, even if the candidate is from the APC or Labour Party. If the other parties also fail to present credible candidates, we must appeal to our sons and daughters in and outside the country to come to “Macedonia” to help us.
There is nothing wrong if our elders and youth would appeal to some of our sons and daughters in government to show interest in the development of the state.
Chances of the aspirants?
Governor Dickson
Being the incumbent governor, this is an advantage for Dickson. But for those of us at home, not Abuja or diaspora indigenes, Dickson has not managed the internal crisis in his party well to the extent that the state PDP Chairman had to quit.
Good luck to the PDP if the party goes ahead to present Dickson as the candidate in the election, who, for now, appears not to be popular with the people.
Timi Alaibe
Timi Alaibe, a former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), is a formidable aspirant. He was also Special Adviser to the President on Amnesty Programme. Alaibe is from the Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of the state. Having occupied at least two high profile offices before in which he acquitted himself, this is a plus for him in the election. He is the aspirant to beat.
Heineken Lokpobiri
Senator Heineken Lokpobiri was Speaker of the state House of Assembly and two times senator representing Bayelsa West. He is from Ekeremor local government area, the third largest local government area in the state. He is a strong candidate but not widely accepted by the people. Secondly, he has problem with some leaders of his party, the PDP. Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha and his godson, Dickson, control the party apparatus and are not likely to support him; especially given the governor’s second term bid.
Emmanuel Paulker
Senator Emmanuel Paulker is another aspirant in the Bayelsa guber race. This is his third term as a senator representing Bayelsa Central, but he has been accused of non-performance, Jonathan was said to have been instrumental to his emergence as senator. Unfortunately, Jonathan is no longer the President. For this reason, he may not go far in the race.
Warman Ogoriba
Honourable Warman Ogoriba represents the young generation of politicians in the state. He was two times member of the House of Representatives, and hails from Kolokuma/Opokuma local government area. Meanwhile, the aspirant has limited public service experience. The state needs somebody with experience to take the state to the next level.
Moses Siasia
Moses Siasia is so far the youngest of those who have shown interest in the gubernatorial seat. He is the President of the Young Nigerian Professionals Association. His strength lies in the fact that he is a young man and a successful business man. However, he has no public service experience. I strongly believe that he is a good candidate for deputy governor. Through this, he will gather experience.
Reuben Okoya
Arch Reuben Okoya has never hidden his interest in the governorship of Bayelsa. He was a commissioner in the state and later a Secretary in the Federal Capital Territory. He is an intelligent person but many people believe he is not a home person.
Godknows Igali
Dr (Amb) Godknows Igali is another aspirant who, though not actively engaged in party politics, has contributed meaningfully to the development of the state. If the criteria for selection should be integrity, experience and commitment to the development of our Bayelsa, Igali, who is currently the Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Power, has shown love for his state. He is a seasoned administrator who has served in various ministries. He was a Nigerian ambassador to the Scandinavian countries. Bayelsa will definitely benefit from his national and international connections.
Some of the points in his favour include his commitment to the development of the state; his open door policy to Bayelsans; irrespective of the social status, and his impeccable public service record. Many people say he is a detribalized Nigerian. He hails from the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, the second most populous local government area of the state.
What may, however, stand against him is his support for Jonathan. It is on record that he stood behind the former President to the end. Secondly, he is still in service. This should not be a problem however. The former governor of Niger State, Alhaji Aliu Babangida, was a Permanent Secretary before being invited by his people to come and serve. Igali, if he decides to join the race, may be the aspirant to beat.
General Boroh
General Boroh had a distinguished military career and intellectually inclined. His recent appointment to manage the Amnesty Programme was welcomed by many Bayelsan youths. However, he has limited experience in administration. He may be a factor in the forthcoming election.
Barclays Ayakoroma
Dr Barclays Ayakoroma has not shown interest but his name is mentioned in some circles. If he eventually shows interest, he is likely to be a popular candidate. The only problem is that he has limited public service experience.
The first governor who took office in 1999, Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, did not complete his second term. He was impeached over allegations of corruption. Dr Goodluck Jonathan, then deputy governor, took over from Alamieyeseigha.
In 2007, Jonathan emerged as the vice presidential candidate to Alhaji Umaru Yar’Adua, while Chief Timipre Sylva took over the administration of Bayelsa.
Sylva was however disallowed from contesting for second term by Jonathan who had emerged president.
Meanwhile, Sylva was accused of having nothing concrete to show as the governor of the state.
Then came Seriake Dickson, who was the ‘anointed’ candidate and the fourth governor of the state courtesy of Jonathan, the then president.
Dickson is currently battling to survive within and outside his party, the PDP. Only time will tell if he will win next year’s election as the APC, the ruling party at the federal level, is determined to wrest power from the PDP and occupy the Creek Haven Government House, Yenagoa come 2016. APC has made inroads in the state since its formation. Two major factors responsible for the APC popularity in Bayelsa are the internal crisis in the PDP and defection of some big names from the PDP to the APC. The APC may be on the way to take over the administration of the state.
But as the December governorship election in the state draws nearer, prominent indigenes of the state from the two main parties have shown interest in contesting the poll.
It is true that Bayelsa is a traditional PDP state but if PDP fails to put its house in order, a good candidate from another party may be considered, even if the candidate is from the APC or Labour Party. If the other parties also fail to present credible candidates, we must appeal to our sons and daughters in and outside the country to come to “Macedonia” to help us.
There is nothing wrong if our elders and youth would appeal to some of our sons and daughters in government to show interest in the development of the state.
Chances of the aspirants?
Governor Dickson
Being the incumbent governor, this is an advantage for Dickson. But for those of us at home, not Abuja or diaspora indigenes, Dickson has not managed the internal crisis in his party well to the extent that the state PDP Chairman had to quit.
Good luck to the PDP if the party goes ahead to present Dickson as the candidate in the election, who, for now, appears not to be popular with the people.
Timi Alaibe
Timi Alaibe, a former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), is a formidable aspirant. He was also Special Adviser to the President on Amnesty Programme. Alaibe is from the Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of the state. Having occupied at least two high profile offices before in which he acquitted himself, this is a plus for him in the election. He is the aspirant to beat.
Heineken Lokpobiri
Senator Heineken Lokpobiri was Speaker of the state House of Assembly and two times senator representing Bayelsa West. He is from Ekeremor local government area, the third largest local government area in the state. He is a strong candidate but not widely accepted by the people. Secondly, he has problem with some leaders of his party, the PDP. Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha and his godson, Dickson, control the party apparatus and are not likely to support him; especially given the governor’s second term bid.
Emmanuel Paulker
Senator Emmanuel Paulker is another aspirant in the Bayelsa guber race. This is his third term as a senator representing Bayelsa Central, but he has been accused of non-performance, Jonathan was said to have been instrumental to his emergence as senator. Unfortunately, Jonathan is no longer the President. For this reason, he may not go far in the race.
Warman Ogoriba
Honourable Warman Ogoriba represents the young generation of politicians in the state. He was two times member of the House of Representatives, and hails from Kolokuma/Opokuma local government area. Meanwhile, the aspirant has limited public service experience. The state needs somebody with experience to take the state to the next level.
Moses Siasia
Moses Siasia is so far the youngest of those who have shown interest in the gubernatorial seat. He is the President of the Young Nigerian Professionals Association. His strength lies in the fact that he is a young man and a successful business man. However, he has no public service experience. I strongly believe that he is a good candidate for deputy governor. Through this, he will gather experience.
Reuben Okoya
Arch Reuben Okoya has never hidden his interest in the governorship of Bayelsa. He was a commissioner in the state and later a Secretary in the Federal Capital Territory. He is an intelligent person but many people believe he is not a home person.
Godknows Igali
Dr (Amb) Godknows Igali is another aspirant who, though not actively engaged in party politics, has contributed meaningfully to the development of the state. If the criteria for selection should be integrity, experience and commitment to the development of our Bayelsa, Igali, who is currently the Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Power, has shown love for his state. He is a seasoned administrator who has served in various ministries. He was a Nigerian ambassador to the Scandinavian countries. Bayelsa will definitely benefit from his national and international connections.
Some of the points in his favour include his commitment to the development of the state; his open door policy to Bayelsans; irrespective of the social status, and his impeccable public service record. Many people say he is a detribalized Nigerian. He hails from the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, the second most populous local government area of the state.
What may, however, stand against him is his support for Jonathan. It is on record that he stood behind the former President to the end. Secondly, he is still in service. This should not be a problem however. The former governor of Niger State, Alhaji Aliu Babangida, was a Permanent Secretary before being invited by his people to come and serve. Igali, if he decides to join the race, may be the aspirant to beat.
General Boroh
General Boroh had a distinguished military career and intellectually inclined. His recent appointment to manage the Amnesty Programme was welcomed by many Bayelsan youths. However, he has limited experience in administration. He may be a factor in the forthcoming election.
Barclays Ayakoroma
Dr Barclays Ayakoroma has not shown interest but his name is mentioned in some circles. If he eventually shows interest, he is likely to be a popular candidate. The only problem is that he has limited public service experience.
Vanguard
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