Group Faults Political Exclusion Of Bayelsa East

The Bayelsa Rescue Mission (BRM), a political pressure group, has accused the administration of Governor Douye Diri of marginalising Bayelsa East Senatorial District and parts of Yenagoa Local Government Area in the distribution of key political appointments and positions.

The group said the alleged imbalance could create a growing perception of exclusion among the people of Brass, Nembe, Ogbia and parts of Yenagoa, despite their contributions to the political and economic development of the state.

In a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Hon. Kalas Agai Nimitenbofa, the BRM urged Governor Diri to review the existing political arrangement and ensure broader representation in strategic government and party positions.

Nimitenbofa stressed that its demand was not for political patronage but for fairness, equity and equal participation in the affairs of the state.

“This is not a demand for political patronage. It is a demand for fairness, inclusion, equity and a sense of belonging for every Bayelsan,” he said.

He expressed particular concern over what it described as the concentration of critical political responsibilities among officials from certain local government areas and senatorial districts.

He alleged that the Governor, his Deputy Governor, Secretary to the State Government, Chief of Staff and key leaders of the ruling party are largely drawn from areas outside Bayelsa East and significant sections of Yenagoa.

Nimitenbofa noted that the Governor is from Kolokuma/Opokuma, while the Deputy Governor is from Sagbama and the Secretary to the State Government is from Southern Ijaw. It also pointed to the origins of the Chief of Staff and state party chairman, arguing that Brass, Nembe, Ogbia and Yenagoa have no representation at what it described as the highest political decision-making level.

“On this highest political consultation and decision making table, there are no seats for the people of Brass, Nembe, Ogbia and Yenagoa Local Government Areas. This is the sad reality on ground under the watch of Governor Douye Diri,” he alleged.

According to him, the situation was different at the beginning of the Diri administration in 2020, when key positions reflected a wider geographical spread.

He recalled that Rt. Hon. Konbowei Benson from Southern Ijaw served as Secretary to the State Government, while Chief Benson Agadaga from Ogbia was Chief of Staff. It also noted that other strategic positions were occupied by people from Sagbama and Kolokuma/Opokuma.

Nimitenbofa said the arrangement provided different sections of the state with a sense of representation in the administration.

However, he argued that the balance changed after the resignation of the SSG and Chief of Staff to pursue senatorial ambitions.

According to him, while the SSG position was filled with another appointee from Southern Ijaw, Ogbia and the wider Bayelsa East district did not receive a replacement in the office of Chief of Staff.

He noted that Dr. Peter Akpe from Sagbama subsequently occupied the position before being elevated to Deputy Governor, but alleged that the Chief of Staff position was not returned to Bayelsa East.

Nimitenbofa described this as a matter requiring urgent attention, arguing that political inclusion should not depend on proximity to power or political connections.

He asked the governor to explain the place of Bayelsa East and Yenagoa in the state’s strategic decision-making structure.

“We therefore ask: Where is the place of Bayelsa East in the highest level of political decision-making in the state? Where is the place of Yenagoa Local Government Area? These are legitimate questions that the Governor must answer,” he said.

He also linked the issue to the economic importance of the affected areas, stressing that Brass, Nembe and Ogbia remain important to the state’s economic activities, while Yenagoa serves as the political and administrative capital.

“Bayelsa East remains central to the state’s economic life, while Yenagoa is the political and administrative capital. Their contributions to the development, revenue generation, commerce and overall wellbeing of Bayelsa cannot be ignored when political responsibilities are being distributed,” he said.

The Publicity Secretary warned against allowing perceptions of “core” and “non-core” Ijaw identities to influence political representation in Bayelsa.

“Bayelsa must not become a state where some citizens are regarded as ‘core’ and others as ‘non-core’ based on language, geography, political connection or proximity to power,” he added.

Nimitenbofa, however, said it was not demanding a rigid formula for sharing political offices among the state’s senatorial districts and local government areas.

He urged Governor Diri to take deliberate steps to broaden political participation and restore confidence among communities that feel excluded.

“This is not about demanding that every position be shared according to a rigid formula. It is about ensuring that every part of Bayelsa has a genuine sense of belonging and reasonable access to the processes through which decisions affecting the people are made,” he noted.

He maintained that its intervention was aimed at strengthening unity rather than creating division.

He called on the governor to rise above partisan considerations and ensure that every section of the state has a meaningful voice in government.

“Bayelsa needs a government where every community can confidently say: ‘We belong here. We are represented here. Our voice matters here. Our future matters here,” he said.

Nimitenbofa said it would continue to hold the government accountable on issues of political inclusion and representation, urging the administration to address the concerns in the interest of the unity and stability of the state.