By Ebiowei Lawal
The indigenes of Brass Constituency 3 in Akassa kingdom of Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State yesterday sent a protest letter to Governor Seriake Dickson over the alleged third term ambition of the Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon.Abraham Ngobere.
According to the aggrieved indigenes, made up the members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP),former political office holders, Akassa Clan Leaders Council and Youths executives of the Four wards of constituency, said though they appreciated the State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson for making a member of constituency 3 the deputy Speaker of the State Assembly, the representation of Hon.Ngobere has failed the people and is rejected for third term.
The people of the constituent pointed out that the issue of who occupied the constituency 3 in the State House of Assembly is based on rotation with Nelson Belief occupying the seat for two terms from ward 9, Hon. Ruby Benjamin occupying a term from Ward 7, Hon. Abraham Ngobere occupying for two terms from Ward 10,”the qualified candidate for the Assembly seat in 2019 should come from ward 7 or 8.”
The aggrieved constituent, in a joint statement issued yesterday in Yenagoa and signed by Comrade Newton Brown, said their rejection of the Deputy Speaker’s third term agenda was based on the need for equity, justice, fair play and against failed representation.
Parts of the statement reads: “we want to thank the restoration Governor, Hon.Seriake Dickson for the development his administration has impacted on the people of the constituency including the building of a constituency boarding school and supporting the position of the Deputy Speaker to the constituency.”
“We are calling on the State Governor to remember that the Akassa kingdom, inspite of all odds,have remained loyal to the PDP. But what we are saying is that there can be no third term in Akassa kingdom. Aside from that, Hon.Abraham Ngobere has failed the people of the area. We have followed the activities of the State House of Assembly and have not seen or heard the Deputy Speaker comment or initiated any Bill that may have impacted positively on the life of the people. He has turned deaf ear to the people of his constituent.”
The PDP Ward Chairmen Forum in their position called on the leadership of the PDP to support their decision on the rejection of the Deputy Speaker to go for the third term, ” Aside from the fact that he is not a sellable candidate in 2019, his emergence in 2015 was with the collective vote of three out of the Four wards. It should have been totally but his performance is poor and provocative. ”
“In support of our petition in 2014, Hon. Ngobere in his characteristic disdain for constituted Authority, have refused to apply for, neither did he obtain a waiver from the party that will enable him contest an election on the platform of the PDP in accordance with the provisions of the State. 33(j) of the party electoral guidelines 2014.”
The Akassa Clan Leaders Council (ACLC) alleged that the Deputy Speaker has never been a true PDP member and his emergence would not have, even by simple majority elected him, owing to his criminal antecedent ranging from illegal oil theft, sea piracy. Our people have not felt his presence in the State House of Assembly, the Brass Constituency 3 is more or less unrepresented. May succeed more if given other assignment than being a people’s representative, which shoes is and will be broken big for him to wear. ”
“The intention of the Deputy Speaker to return to the State House of Assembly as representing Brass Constituency 3 is never a reflection of the true intention of the people he seeks to compulsorily represent. Hence supporting his bid as a party will not win the support and administration of the people of the constituency, may consequence breed bad blood and apathy amongst the people and also the government. ”
