By Odimegwu Onwumere
Expectations are heightening among inhabitants and political watchers of
Bayelsa state politics as the state gubernatorial election slated for
November 16 draws nearer. The query is centred on whether the Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP) should continue to rule the state or there should
be a change of party. In another insight, many are not inclined to
supporting any political party to produce the next governor of Bayelsa
state, but an individual whom they believe will embody them very well.
If the postulations of people should be anything to go by, then Chief
David Lyon, the flagbearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC), may
be the next governor of the oil rich state.
Since Wednesday September 4, that Lyon emerged winner of the APC
governorship primary election in Bayelsa state, it has been _Hosanna in
the Highest_ by the residents of the state that cut across party lines.
What may look like expo of what should be expected in the election was
what happened on the said September 4, when Lyon, in the APC primary
polled 42,138 votes to defeat his somewhat closet rival, Diseye Nsirim,
who scored 1,533 votes in the direct primary election, which was
espoused by the party. The love Bayelsans have for Lyon was shown, when
they didn’t vote for an immediate past minister and former senator who
was in the race.
This love from Bayelsans for Lyon is immeasurable given his affable
nature and philanthropic gestures. Bayelsans say they can give anything
to support Lyon, a man whose interest for the development of Bayelsa,
compelled him to institute all his business investments in the state.
Also, the man behind him in the state in the person of Chief Timipre
Sylva, Minister of Petroleum State, regarded as the leader of the APC in
Bayelsa State, is not only loved by Bayelsans but also across the states
in the Niger Delta county, for his grassroots brand of politics.
It is believed that when Sylva was Governor of Bayelsa, he did not only
place people-oriented projects across the state but also empowered
people beyond family or village lines. Another fact that may likely work
for Lyon is that Bayelsans are wondering why Hon. Douye Diri, a serving
senator, should be flagging the PDP flag in the coming election. Many
believe that the PDP in the state had already politicized the party by
this move.
Another crush that the PDP may face in the election that will pave way
for Lyon is the fact that Chief Timi Alaibe, who was loved by the people
failed in the PDP primary. If he had won, it would have posed a
difficult time for Lyon in the coming elections. However, Alaibe came
second in the primaries to the chagrin of majority of Bayelsans who
believe that Diri is a stooge to the present Governor Seriake Dickson
and was handpicked in the PDP primaries by the governor. It won’t be
foolhardy to point out that since the residents noticed to
godfather-like politics Dickson is supposedly playing with Diri, the
people have pitched tent with Lyon, irrespective of party affiliation.
A commentator in a forum had this view about the PDP and APC candidates,
saying, “After looking at who PDP presented and that of APC, it’s
quite clear that David Lyon will come out victorious barring any
unforeseen circumstances. Once again, PDP shot its self in the foot by
presenting a weak candidate who is apparently perceived as a Dickson
boy.”
It could be this notion that formed the views of Lyon against Dickson a
fortnight through his Media Aide, Chief Gift Ebiki, saying that the
governor is yet to understand that the entire PDP National Working
Committee and the PDP Governor’s have abandoned Dickson in his
wilderness. Juxtaposing to the claim, Lyon said, “This became clear
that no National Executive officer of the PDP came for the flag-off of
his candidate, Douye Diri; the only person that came was Chief Emma
Ogidi whose maternal home is Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa
state; that is always at the beck and call of Governor Dickson.”
From calculation, it sounds obvious that the people will not want anyone
that is associated to Dickson to govern them again because of what they
christen his monumental woes. Although, no government in the world is
perfect but if public opinion (which is part of governance) is anything
to go by, then Dickson-led government seems to have failed the
expectations of the people of Bayelsa in the areas of efficient road
network, drinkable water, skyrocketing school fees at the state-own
university, palaver with civil servents’ salary, and others. The people
also blame ex-President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan for the choice of
Dickson when he was president, something they added that has brought
them untoward hardship and mishap in governance except Dickson’s
attacks to opposing views.
Outlooks are that Sylva and the APC in Bayelsa made the right choice in
Lyon, and if they had chosen Heiniken Lokpobiri, whom they believe can’t
even win in election in his family, Dickson would have by now been
celebrating the November 16 guber election before the date. It was
however clear that before Lyon faced the APC primary, he had a team that
was 100 per cent ready to face the primary. Today, speculations are that
he has doubled the spirit of the team and Bayelsans are volunteering to
join the team in making sure that no lapses are created for Dickson to
have a field day on November 16. There are strong overtures and
convictions that Lyon is better to everyone in the race at the moment.
Conversely, when the businessman and oil guru, Chief David Lyon was
cleared and confirmed qualified by the APC screening panel on Tuesday,
August 27 2019, he had never shied away from telling the world his
readiness to take Bayelsa to the next level when he becomes governor.
Without a doubt, the people of Bayelsa have faith in him and are agog
that his hurried entrance into the governorship race has started to
change the political landscape in the state for positive. They also
believe that Lyon, who said before the APC primary in the state that he
was optimistic of winning the APC ticket in a free and fair contest and
he won, will win the general election come November 16.
_ODIMEGWU ONWUMERE__ is a Port Harcourt-based Poet/Writer. He can be
contacted via WhatsApp: 08032552855, or E-mail: apoet_25@yahoo.com_