Bayelsa 2019: Keniebi okoko, fresh wine in new bottle
From the inception of democracy in Bayelsa State till date, Bayelsans have been yearning for a development-oriented leader and messiah that will bring development across the state but most especially to Yenagoa metropolis and its environ that host the capital city.
The period under review span from the administrations of the Chief D.S.P Alamieyeseigha, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, Chief Timipre Sylva and to the incumbent Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson administrations with a cumulative state allocations that run into Hundreds of Billions of Naira and now Trillions yet there are no commensurate projects and development to just the huge financial resources and allocations in our dear state.
These past and present Governors and leaders, I guess had the best intentions to turn our dear state to Paris, London, Dubai etc but only God knows what happened immediately on their assumption of office. I don't want to believe that the His Excellency title they answer is different from those of their counterparts that perform. It is sad that the moment they assumed offices, they suddenly forgot the big big talks and plans. I do not want to be tempted or cajoled into believing that they usually come under a kind of underdevelopment spell or they forget themselves due to the luxury, prestigious, honour and glamour of the exalted office of the Governor and Chief Security Officer (CSO) of the state.
I am also forced to ask this rhetorical question whether these respective leaders, our great sons were alone or did they work alone?
Who made them kings and who benefited more from their kingship?
Was it the state or the king makers that benefitted the most?
All these questions bring us to the current and next political questions to be asked with regards to the way forward.
We have had the Alaibes, Turners, Igalis, Okoyas, Ikioghas, Paulkers to mention but a few. They have all been parts of these past governments under review and they all played strategic roles and wielded overwhelming influence from inception of democracy and the roles they played.
It is only hypocritical and sycophantic and the quest and taste for absolute power that such names should ever be considered to govern our state at this point in time with our Nigeria experience at the federal level where greed for power and extreme corruption is the order of the day because they made us believe in one old name that they portrayed as being a saint and that ugly experience has made us wiser. Now, we know better since it is an eye opener.
What do Bayelsans want now? Do we put old wines in New bottles?
Do we let this few king makers appoint a king for us and continue to reap us dry as they have been doing or do we take our fate in our own hands and beat them to their game of political ordination and non-inclusiveness to who governs us by making our votes count and not just ours but every other next persons that choose to stand up and be counted?
Where are our able young and vibrant youth leaders that have proven themselves in human capacity building through clearly shown facts on ground and not just paper talk?
People that have distinguished themselves in the private sector nationally moving towards a global realm through shear corporate strategy?
Where are the Preye Berezis from kolokuma, David Lyons of Southern Ijaw, the Kenebi Okokos from Gbarain, the Sele Victor Bens (Don Sidon) of Southern Ijaw, Moni Love (Monimichelle), Harcourt Ajoke (Megastar) of Brass, the Ken Etetes, Israel Sunny-Golis from Nembe-Brass etc to mention but a few?
These are our own little Dangotes that never had political appointments before they made breakthroughs in the private sector.
Ironically, the old brigades i mentioned earlier who helped themselves with our common wealth are preparing to come and use our monies to buy our votes and enslave us for the next twenty years again.
The race for Creek Haven must be seen beyond this known names that have embezzled so much and in turn given back little or nothing to society.
These are CEOs on paper but on ground they are political sycophants but believe me, they are on the match again and they are very much willing to keep us as perpetual slaves in their political cocoon and coven for the rest of our entire life but GOD forbid.
We must force those that have made a genuine success for themselves in the private sector into politics to steer us away from this political madness we have found ourselves and there is no better time than now Jesus!!!! We have young men that are building corporate empires and people are mentioning political jobbers to come and job us again!
If we fail to get it right this time, we might never get it right again, as we will be locked in this vicious circle where this people will for ever continue to develop themselves politically and economically while the state will continue to suffer gross underdevelopment as is the case today.
Great Bayelsans especially our great Youths should rise up and stamp their feet. Anyone above 45yrs especially those that have served in the past governments at strategic levels of influence on appointments or elective capacities should please take a bow.
Egberifa!
Written by a concerned Bayelsan.
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