HON WISDOM ONIEKPAR IKULI
Before the inception of the ASSURED Prosperity Administration, leadership and governance of the state were made exclusive rights and preserves of politicians. It was as if participation in active politics was the only ticket and guarantee for government patronage.
The above development over time gave birth to two broad categories of Bayelsans: politicians and beneficiaries of government patronage and spectators.
There are incidents and situations where public officers even referred to state resources as their money. It was so because they were the then Chief Custodians of the commonwealth and patrimony of the state who were elected to hold and also manage the resources entrust.
Few years ago, there was less emphasis on competence and performance. It was a case of my turn vs. wait for your turn to do whatever you like.
Again, it is a known fact that Bayelsa State was always in the news for negative reasons. So, the lack or near absence of development and the negative impressions about the state resulted in her isolation.
But the advent of the ASSURED Prosperity Administration has changed the whole narrative.
Under the ASSURED Prosperity administration, government and governance is all inclusive. All Bayelsans are partakers and critical stakeholders.
As a matter of fact, you do not need to know anyone in government to get available benefits that are always thrown open to all irrespective of political party affiliations.
Almighty God brought Gov. Douye Diri specifically for the mission to change the story of Bayelsa State and Bayelsans.
What is happening in Bayelsa State is exactly what happened in Akwa Ibom state, where at a point, Akwa Ibomites were ashamed to introduce themselves as Akwa Ibomites. Most of them claimed their old identity as people from Cross River state.
God used Godswill Obot Akpabio to change the story of Akwa Ibom state.
Today, Gov. Douye Diri has turned the whole of Bayelsa State to a construction site with roads and bridges criss-crossing everywhere.
In Bayelsa State, government edifices, health centres, primary and secondary school buildings are not counted as major projects. I say the above because they are almost countless. They are everywhere.
Sadly and unfortunately too, some insignificant leaders without positive impacts on their people are trying to create impressions that Gov. Douye Diri left the PDP that gave him a platform to the APC.
For this group of leaders and their followers that make up less than 5% of Bayelsans, their only credential is that they have remained in PDP for eternity.
Bayelsans are not gullible. Vast majority of Bayelsans know that political party is like a vehicle that convey people from one destination to another. What is most important is the destination where available opportunities are harnessed and appropriated for the common good of the people.
Before the eyes of Bayelsans, investors are relocating from many states and places to Bayelsa State due to the conducive business and investment atmosphere that Gov. Douye Diri has created.
He did not only restored peace and unity to the state, he also worked with stakeholders and various security agencies to make Bayelsa State the safest state in the country. The community policing strategy of the state is so unique that many states are emulating it.
Gov. Douye Diri has successfully set a leadership and development standard for successive administrations to build upon.
Bayelsa State is no longer among states that are disregarded. The above is due to the vision and leadership style of our God-sent governor.
The earlier those who are conspiring to paint the governor in bad light wake up to the realities of the time, the better for them.
Never again shall Bayelsa State be entrusted to unserious characters whose only credentials is the number of years they have played politics and also stayed in a particular political party.
Gov. Douye Diri is the greatest thing that happened to our contemporary democracy. He is a God-sent leader that is leading very well, while we are following him.
©Hon. Wisdom Oniekpar Ikuli