Bayelsa East Stakeholders Insist On Zoning, Reject Second Term For Incumbent Senator

Stakeholders from Bayelsa East Senatorial District, comprising youths, traditional leaders and women groups, have demanded strict adherence to the long-standing zoning arrangement in the district.

They rejected any move to allow a second term for the incumbent senator.

The position was made known during a protest held by leaders and residents from Ogbia, Nembe and Brass local government areas, where the participants insisted that the existing rotation formula must be respected to sustain peace and fairness.

The stakeholders argued that since 1999, the senatorial seat has rotated among the three local government areas, a system they said has promoted unity, stability and inclusiveness across the district.

They maintained that with the current tenure coming to an end, it is the turn of Brass local government area to produce the next senator, warning that any deviation could disrupt the existing harmony.

The protest, which drew participants across party lines, also served as a platform for mobilising support for the zoning principle, with speakers emphasising that the arrangement is a collective agreement that must be preserved.

Comrade Quincy Makodo, a youth leader and former National Vice President of the Ogbia Brotherhood Youth Council Worldwide, said the zoning arrangement has ensured peace in the district and must not be altered for personal ambition.

He further noted that attempts to extend tenure beyond the agreed rotation would amount to undermining the foundation of equity that has guided political representation in the district for over two decades.

“We are here as youth leaders of Bayelsa East to make it clear that there is already an existing zoning arrangement since 1999. From Melford Okilo to the current senator, the system has rotated among Ogbia, Nembe and Brass. Ogbia has produced more senators, while Brass and Nembe have had fewer.

“So now, it is the turn of Brass, and we are saying the arrangement must be respected. This system has kept the peace in our district, and we will not allow personal ambition to destroy it. This position cuts across all political parties, and that is why you see this large crowd here today.”

Traditional leaders in the district who were part of the protest, also aligned with the position, stressing that the zoning formula must not be compromised.

According to High Chief Olerua John Salvation, he said that the gentleman agreement, established by past leaders has ensured peace and unity by allowing rotational representation among the local government areas.

He said, “We are here with other chiefs and stakeholders to support the youths in saying no to a second term. There is a gentleman agreement that has guided this senatorial district, and it has brought peace among our people.

“We are saying clearly that it is now the turn of Brass, and the outgoing senator should respect that. We will not support anything that will disrupt the peace we are enjoying.”

Also speaking, Hon. Timila Austin, a political stakeholder from Brass local government area, described the demand as a call for fairness and equity.

“The same arrangement brought the current senator into office, and he has completed his tenure. Now it is the turn of Brass, and that should be respected. We are here today, across all local governments and political interests, to make our position clear and to ensure that stakeholders handling the screening process listen to the voice of the people,” he said.

Women groups and other community representatives also lent their voices, urging stakeholders to uphold the zoning arrangement and ensure that justice prevails, while expressing confidence that the screening process will reflect the will of the people and sustain peace in Bayelsa East.

Addressing the protesters, a member of the Bayelsa East screening committee and Federal Commissioner representing Bayelsa State in the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission, Dr. Helen Bob, urged calm among stakeholders, assuring that the long-standing zoning arrangement in the senatorial district will be respected in the ongoing screening of aspirants.

Dr. Bob, who is from Brass local government area, acknowledged the concerns raised by protesters, noting that the agitation reflects the political culture of rotation that has been sustained in the district for over two decades.

“As a member of the screening committee and a representative of Bayelsa State at the Revenue Mobilization, Allocation and Fiscal Commission, I can say that this senatorial seat has been guided by a rotational culture for over two decades.

“I understand why people are protesting because, truly, it is the turn of Brass. The committee is made up of credible leaders who will ensure that no local government is marginalised or treated unfairly. I urge the protesters to remain calm because the right thing will be done.

“We believe most of the aspirants will come from Brass, just as we have seen similar understanding in the House of Representatives rotation. Nobody is stopping anyone from contesting, but based on our mutual agreement over the years, we are confident that justice will prevail.”