By Sampson Boroh
The candidate of the All Progressives Congress in the November 16th governorship election in Bayelsa State, Chief David Lyon says his party will partner traditional rulers and community leaders in the governance of the state.
Lyon said if elected his administration would liaise and form partnership with monarchs in the state towards tackling most pressing issues including insecurity and underdevelopment in most parts of the state.
The APC governorship candidate spoke when he met with Okpoma Council of Chiefs and Odioma Kingdoms both in Twon Brass in Brass Local Government Area of the State for interaction as parts of campaign tour to traditional rulers across the state.
Lyon, a traditional title holder, posited that APC-led government would adopt direct interactions with traditional rulers and the peoples of the state through visits and town hall meetings with communities on critical issues affecting the state.
The APC flag bearer, who stated that the traditional rulers are core stakeholders to the development of the state, assured that his government will consult and partner with them to speed up development and address myriads of challenges confronting the state.
He said, “thus when voted into office, they shall be adequately consulted and their welfare shall also be prioritized.
“The reason why most governments fail is because of their failures to properly consult and partner with the traditional stool, which is the fourth tier of the government in the State, part of Brass family, today is indeed a great day in my life to see my leader and royal fathers in Brass. We came here to consult our royal fathers and the entire people of Brass LGA that we are going for a battle.
“In Bayelsa State we have been experiencing a lot if issues which all of us are very much aware. One of such issues is insecurity which is eating up our dear State. For any government to succeed, such must have a reliable connection with the communities making the State… and what better if not through the eyes of the Traditional rulers.
“We have come with the commitment to serve Bayelsans and take development to every Bayelsa community. Thus, we shall consult the various communities through town hall meetings in order to address our challenges effectively.
“Today’s visit is to introduce ourselves to you that we are here for our state wide electioneering campaigns and to plead with you to further introduce us to your people as the right Party and candidates for the November 16 election. Brass is too important not to be connected by road from Ogbia-Nembe. We shall build road to connect Brass to the State Capital, via Ogbia-Nembe.
“This will enhance the economic fortunes of the State and transform it to a modern city. But I cannot do this alone with my running mate, let’s come together and make Bayelsa great. Successive governments have expended our resources without adequately imparting our dear State.
“With your support we can develop the State and specifically Brass. Let’s walk as one family and we shall form a unified government. I am a peaceful man and we shall endeavor to make Bayelsa peaceful.”
Lyon expressed hope that his party was very confident of winning the election, saying that his nomination by APC as stand its candidate is aimed at unifying all parts of the state and restoring peace to the once troubled state.
“Go out and vote for the APC come November 16. APC is the answer to the cries of Bayelsans. I assure you I am a true Bayelsan and a native of Brass. Even my nomination came from one of your illustrious sons, Chief Timipre Sylvia. Thus I cannot turn my back on the people of Brass”, the APC candidate added.
In his remark, His Royal Majesty and traditional ruler of Okpoma Kingdom, King Ebitimi Banigo, who claimed he was among the few Bayelsans who fought for the creation of the state, however, lamented the underdevelopment in the state.
According to the monarch, “I have listened to the cries our people here in Okpoma Kingdom and also in Odioma Kingdom, I listened to the total dismay, what has happened to our dear people of Bayelsa State. Unfortunately, most of you may not be aware, I was one of the original discussants to the creation of our Bayelsa State and thanks to God we got this State.
”Since then I have been involved with this struggle, not just for Bayelsa State, but for the Ijaw race right from the time I was a student in 1966. We have tried different experiments to launch Ijaw nation and Bayelsa State on the path of development, but I am sad to say that we are far from achieving our aims and our goals. I have been involved from the onset of civilian regime with His Excellency Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha.
“But today why I am proud is that I have two persons who are been presented to us that I have heard about I have met and exude the sense of humility and philanthropy and caring that we have sought for all these years, and I will say this even if you were in an opposing party.
“With what we have experienced, there is no way anybody here will not vote for the project that you are in. Not because of our hatred for anybody who contests against you, but for the fact that we want Bayelsa to rise and to be great.”
