A former Nigerian Ambassador to the Scandanavian countries and top Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial aspirant, Dr. Godknows Igali has conveyed his congratulations to PDP flagbearer Senator Douye Diri and APC candidate, Chief David Lyon.
In his remark on Thursday during a praise and worship service organised by hundreds of his supporters and campaign staff in his residence at Opolo, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Igali commended other aspirants in the race for their efforts and aspiration to serve the people of Bayelsa state.
A statement explained that Igali charged the frontline candidates, Sen. Diri and Chief Lyon to lead an issue based campaign and focus on solutions that can advance the progress of the state and improve the conditions of the people.
Although Igali described the conduct of the primaries by both parties as successful, he condemned some of the behind-the-scenes intrigues that preceded the actual voting.
Speaking concerning the PDP Delegates Election in particular, Igali decried what he described as “the arrogant display of mind boggling sums of money” by some aspirants to induce voters and pressure them to reject their preferred electoral choice.
He warned that this could impact on the quality of government after the elections.
Amb. Igali restated that in spite of all efforts which various administrations seem to have made for the economic development of Bayelsa state, “available data from the National Bureau of Statistics still shows that the state remains one of the most backward in terms of access to potable water, access to sanitation, access to anti-natal care”. He alleged that the state is also grappling with dilapidated infrastructure, high prevalence of open defecation, malnutrition and absence of electric power.
He, therefore, questioned the orgy of sharing big money to delegates instead of addressing the issues that affect them the most.
Igali congratulated his campaign team under the banner of “Project Bayelsa” for focusing on facts and evidence-based articulation of issues.
He restated that his campaign mantra covered the entire spectrum of modern governance and tried to proffer solutions aimed at moving the state to an enviable status. Igali encouraged Bayelsans and the candidates to access his detailed thoughts and ideas by visiting his Bayelsa Project website www.projectbayelsa.org.ng for guidance.
Igali specially tasked Sen. Diri and his APC counterpart Chief David Lyon and their campaign teams to focus on how Bayelsa can surpass the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
He urged that “this must be the benchmark for our people to live in the 21st century as many parts of Nigeria are beginning to do.
He added:”Increasingly, the reliance on allocations from the central government for sustainable economic and social development, and for ushering our people into modern living will become an anachronism.
”Both candidates must therefore redirect their energies on strategies and clear roadmaps on how to bring development through non-traditional and innovative sources.”
