Amgbare Ekaunkumo, Yenagoa
The narrative where indigenes and residents of the state were divided due to affiliation to different political parties, have witnessed a tremendous change since the incumbent Governor, Senator Douye Diri, assumed office almost two years ago.
This assertion was made known by the Governor’s Special Adviser on Political Matters, High Chief Collins Cocodia, during an audience participatory program on Glory FM, 97.1, in Yenagoa on Monday.
According to him, the charge by the State Chief Executive to reconcile both agrieved members of his party, the Peoples Democratic Party, and those from other parties, was also responsible for the political stability and peaceful coexistence of all major actors in the polity, as well as the modest achievements recorded so far in the state.
Cocodia in a press statement made available to newsmen in Yenagoa by his press secretary, Patrick Ndubuisi stated that Governor Diri was emphatic on unity, and working hand in glove with all Bayelsans to deliver project Bayelsa, which the S.A Political stressed was more paramount to the Governor.
In his words, “Am sure Mr Governor will be quite impressed that Bayelsans can live the way we are living currently despite our party divisions and alignment. And to a large extent we are more friendlier than before, we are now more accomodating than before, am talking of Bayelsans living together, and you can see a cross pollination across party lines. An APC man organising a function and you see movement of PDP people going there to attend the function, and a PDP man organising a ceremony and the APC people attending the function”.
“I pray this translate to elections where first we will see ourselves as one, outside the party divide and know that whoever God has chosen to lead at any particular time, is the person that has pleased God, and God has chosen that person”.
“And I think if we have that mind set, the struggle to occupy certain positions will reduced to an extent”.
High Chief Cocodia, while giving a hint on his activities as the Special Adviser on Political Matters, said lots of party members from the opposition party, including the major opposition party, the All Progressive Congress, APC, have retraced their steps and joined the ruling party in the state.
He added that even in the East Senatorial District, which had majority of opposition members, have defected and now in their fold, noting that he won’t relent in his effort of mopping more persons to the PDP, so that the mega rally for the reception of all defectors, billed for the 14th of February, will be as expected.
“We have done well in terms of receiving defectors from all the council areas. Most of them are seeing the quite achievements of the Miracle Governor, and also his political maturity, and it’s attracting them back to the party”.
“Even in Southern Ijaw where those that left, felt that it will take a Southern Ijaw man to give them a central road, that if they have a Southern Ijaw Governor, that road will come to reality. But fortunately and unfortunately, a Kolga son, who is also from the Central is very interested in that road, as I talk to you the road has already hit Angiama, and vehicles have started driving from Yenagoa to Angiama”.
“And the Governor has promised that within his first four years, the Southern Ijaw people will know that this government has come to do the needful. Because of that we have a lot of them that have come back, and we expect more of them to come and display on 14th of February”.
He went further to highlight some ongoing projects to be completed and commissioned by the Governor, as part of activities marking his second year anniversary in office.
The pioneer Commissioner for Labour, Employment and Productivity, listed the Nembe Unity Bridge, the Media Village, primary schools, amongst others, as some of the projects to be commissioned ahead of the second year anniversary, while the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo is expected to flag off the Angiama-Oporoma bridge in the Southern Ijaw Council Area.
