NGO canvasses change for a new political/governance structure in Bayelsa

A socio-political Non-Governmental Organization under the aegis of “Campaign for Development and Democracy in Bayelsa” (CDDB) has embarked on a high powered sensitization campaign to re-orientate and galvanize the people into a political process to re-birth a new political governance structure in the state.

The Leader of the Yenagoa Based NGO, Dr Ekiyor Welson told journalists in Yenagoa that Bayelsa has not fared well politically because of the incursion of poor leaders bereft of leadership ideals in governance, stressing that in the forthcoming election, sovereignty must return to the electorate. Welson averred that that the era of ballot snatching is fast becoming obsolete in Nigeria and in advance democratic countries, adding that votes have begun to count across the globe; and that Bayelsa would not be an exception because the era of imposing leaders by a few political cabal on the people is gone.

The Leader of the CDDB, explained that the NGO’s network spreads across the eight constitutionally recognized local government councils’ areas, communities and that they are also consulting with Bayelsans in the Diaspora, who have expressed resignation over the leaders malaise; and are in support of the re-birth of a political governance structure in the state.

According to welson, Bayelsans have stay aloof for too long not knowing that sovereignty belongs to them, and they have therefore allowed themselves to be ruled by a few cabal who are not accountable to them, stressing it is a misnomer that the CDDB has come to correct the anomalies.

He said further that the CDDB is formed to give answer to the following questions, have the electorate fared well, do they participate in the political process, can the political mechanism to change the fortunes of the people be revamped, even as he noted that a new political culture that would identify and redress these pitfalls, as well as set people-oriented agenda has begun ahead of 2019 polls.

The Leader of the CDDB, pointed the new political culture would see voters shun money politics that has not in any way improve their living condition, stressing that money politics strive as a result of weak institutions and eroded confidence in leaders on the seat of government, stressing that the CDDB has come to build the trust and confidence of the people to enable them decide who governs them; which will invariable handover sovereignty to them, by being accountable and implementing polices and programmes to improve the standard of living of the masses.

He noted that the battered psychic of the electorate was responsible for their refusal to get involve in political processes, but the CDDB would change that by educating and sensitizing them to build their confidence and trust in whoever would lead them in the next political dispensation in the state.

Welson, urged them to jettison money induced politics as it has not improved but rather worsened their condition of living, and the need to avoid overtures from self-seeking politicians that would want to use them as political thugs to snatch ballot boxes’ even as he urged eligible Bayelsans to register to enable them choose the right leader.

Said he “While the change in political governance structure cut across the globe, Bayelsa would not be different, sovereignty must return to the people, the masses must be given a pride of place to drive political process in the state, office seekers must be made to realize that they seek public office at the pleasure of the people, remain at their pleasure and be ready to give account to them.

“For too long we have allowed evil thrive in the name of politics because we (the masses) were detached and alienated from our own heritage and stand aloof on matters that concerns and that our input and involvement is required to bring the needed change” Welson submitted.

To this end, Welson noted when votes are procured public office others are bound to treat the masses with disdain, impunity and jettyison their interest and wellbeing in governance, even as he noted that “a stitch in time saves nine”.