ODAHIEKWU OGUNDE, Yenagoa
A youth organisation in Bayelsa State, the Bayelsa West Youth Leadership Forum (BWYLF), has insisted that there is no zoning arrangement between Sagbama and Ekeremor local government areas for the district’s senatorial seat.
BWYLF made this position known on Monday in a meeting at Sagbama Town, headquarters of Sagbama LGA of the state.
The group in a communique signed after the meeting by Comrades Akeme Moses, Coordinator; Mercy Dinini Clement, Secretary; and Doupere Fada, spokesman, indicated that the Bayelsa West Senatorial seat was open for anybody to contest.
The youths, however, laid much emphasis on capacity over mediocrity, reiterating that every qualified son and daughter of both LGAs was free to contest as they claimed it had been the practice from the inception of the Fourth Republic.Â
The group noted that there had never been a time where leaders of different political parties across the Ekeremor and Sagbama LGAs met and agreed on a zoning principle, either written or verbal, but it had always been a contest among both LGAs.Â
The youth leaders argued that there was no organised zoning arrangement like that witnessed in other Senatorial Districts in Bayelsa State (Bayelsa East), which had consistently maintained and respected a zoning principle.Â
The communique reads: “Therefore, we (BWYLF) call on every qualified adult citizens of the Senatorial District to disregard the naysayers who are calling for zoning and focus on issues-based campaigns.
“We applaud Governor Douye Diri-led administration for its giant development strides and for making Bayelsa State a construction site. We maintain that Diri has fulfilled his campaign promise of consolidating the gains of his predecessor, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson. Among many ongoing projects is the Sagbama/Ekeremor road which is highly commendable.
“The BWYLF equally hails former Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson, now Senator representing Bayelsa West, for the initiation and execution of the Sagbama/Ekeremor road that has today recorded a historical moment of jubilation as cars drive to Ekeremor town.
“We also condemn in strong terms the unbearable security challenges at Sagbama town, headquarters of Sagbama LGA. The youth leaders call on security operatives to boost their security apparatus in the area. The major duty of the security operatives is to protect lives and property.
“In a similar vein, we call on the Bayelsa State Livestock Management Committee to swing into action and curb the incessant disruptions of farmlands by herders grazing in some communities in Ekeremor LGA.
“We also call on the chairmen of Ekeremor and Sagbama LGA, who are the Chief Security Officers of their councils to be more proactive in terms of security issues.”