2027: BAYELSA SDP ASSEMBLY CANDIDATES PROMISE PEOPLE -CENTERED REPRESENTATION

House of Assembly Candidates of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), for Ogbia State Constituencies have expressed confidence of achieving victory at the polls because of their capacity to mobilize grassroots support and the goodwill they enjoy across their Constituencies.

The candidates, Pst. Kobhaman Obaguo for Ogbia Constituency two, his Constituency One counterpart, Chief Michael Gilbert and Hon. Man Otiotio  Amakuro for Constituency three stated this while speaking with newsmen shortly after consultations with stakeholders across their Constituencies.

The trio highlighted their experiences and promised continuous consultations, saying it was right time the Ogbia Local Government Area got it right by fielding competent candidates for the State Assembly election.

According to the aspiring legislators, their candidatures were a long time dream which became a reality in the forthcoming polls, saying they have a divine mandate to vie for the legislative positions.

Speaking on zoning among the electoral wards of the three Constituencies, the trio, who emphasized competence, also said all political arithmetics surrounding zoning were in their favour as wards two, nine and 13 of the three Ogbia State Constituencies, which they noted were their political delineations, had been marginalized in terms of representation at the State legislature.

“I’m from ward two of Ogbia Constituency two. The incumbent Assembly member is also from ward two, but our voice as a Constituency has not been heard in the current Assembly.  It’s as though we don’t have a representative. And that’s what I’m coming to change with effective representation”, Pastor Obaguo said.

Speaking on his relationship with stakeholders from across party lines in the Constituency, especially the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr Samuel Ogbuku, who is a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Pastor Obaguo described the latter as a man who believes in competency and capacity in his dealings with people.

He said the NDDC boss believes in credibility and performance and would therefore, not allow party differences influence the outcome of the elections in favour of any incompetent candidate.

“I’m from Onuebum Community and partly from Ayakoro too. The incumbent Assembly member and APC candidate is also from Onuebum and  Ayakoro. And Ayakoro community is home town of the MD/CEO of the NDDC.

 “I don’t see him winning me in the two communities where both of us come from. For me, there’s never been anytime there are community activities in Ayakoro that I’ve not played my role. My candidacy is a divine one, and I’ve been in politics for years and have also worked for many candidates in the past.

“It was due to poor performance that the current Assembly member was elected in 2023 then from an opposition party (the APC) to replace the then incumbent. Currently, it’s exactly the same thing that’s playing out. It’s the communities that make up the Constituency that are calling on me to contest for the Assembly seat in this coming elections. And by God’s grace, we’ll win”, he added.

On his part, the Constituency one candidate, Chief Gilbert, said he is from Ward 13 and that his ward was the pioneer occupant of the Assembly seat in 1999.

He however, noted that from 1999-2003, the ward produced two Assembly members, each serving only about one year and half, respectively.

He emphasized that his ward had been marginalized in the elective position, while others had either had a full four year single term or more.

“Since 2003 till date, while other wards have been producing Assembly members for either one full four year single term or two tenures, ward 13 has been political marginalized in the Assembly representation.

“I’m coming to correct these errors and bring better representation to the entire Constituency.

“I don’t see the APC or any other candidate winning me in my ward or my community. They may win in their own communities and wards, but in my ward which has the highest voting strength, I’ll win, and I’ll win in the entire Constituency”, he said.

Chief Gilbert asserted that he had the required experience that would make him a better legislator, if elected.

“I would make a big difference when elected. I’ve been a community leader. I’ve also served in other political executive positions. I’ve all what it takes to be a better legislator when elected and I want to promise effective representation when elected come 2027”, he added.

While promising empowerment opportunities for his Constituents if elected, the Constituency three SDP Candidate, Hon. Otiotio, said he had been a grassroots politician, former Leader of the Legislative Arm of the Ogbia Local Government Area and a mobilizer.

He stated that he would provide empowerment grants for businesses for his constituents as well as support initiatives aimed at making the Constituency better, if elected.

“I’ll win the forthcoming election and empower my constituents. For those who are in small and medium scale enterprises, I believe I’m the best candidate for them.

“I’ve plans to support my constituents with grants and work for the provision of infrastructural projects in the Constituency”, he said.

By Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa