Ten days of Rage of anger, Hunger strike: Nationwide protest in retrospect and the Bayelsa experience – By Ofoni Williams (Part 1)

“The absence of war doesn’t necessarily suggest peace, peace is not probing wrong, but rather the exhibiting noble character.and a commitment to better the living standand of citizens. Hon Ofoni D WILLIAMS (Pinaoge series 07041989)”

The ten days of protest might have come and gone but it left in its trail the trade mark tears, sorrow and blood.

The outcome of the protest that greeted the nation was quite predictable and avoidable despite avalanche of pleas by the government, prominent and respected Nigerians across the length and breath of the country to heed the voices of reason to jettison to protest

Indeed, the protesters who are majorly youths are led to embark on such a protest considering the biting economic situation Nigerians were going through, but sadly the fears that those who opposed to the protest came to the fore. In the end, instead of the peaceful protest violence was took it toll leaving behind destruction of property and loss of lives of countless souls.

However, in Bayelsa state the protest was peaceful without violence as recorded in most states particularly in the Northern part of the country. Thought the protest was held only on the first day it didn’t diminish the argument that Bayelsans weren’t immune from the hardship prevailing in the country.

Of a truth, there were groundswell of political propaganda in Bayelsa as most political leaders cease the slightest platform to reach to the youths on the need to abandon the protest.

As a matter of fact, it a universal truth that protest in a democratic society is a salient language by citizens to freely express their grievances. But protest is not an absolute right under no circumstance.

No doubt, those who were opposed to the protest calling for reasons to prevail against protest even peaceful did so bearing in mind the negative effects as such protest often than not usually ends in (violence, destruction of properties and loss of lives.

Understandablly, the reasons for the protest- hardship, hunger, hike in electricity tariff, corruption and bad governance are palpable felt but Nigeria is in a dire economy threshold that doesn’t need further dislocation but understanding from everyone and quarters concerning our situation and challenges.

Life sustenance for the common man could best be described as a miracle, depending of the the Creator instead of government creating the enabling environment for citizens to work to earn a living. It should be known that the difficult times are not pecuiliar to Nigeria alone.

The Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Duoye Diri speaking on the proposed nationwide protest alleged that from intelligent gathering ,former governor Chief Timpre Sylva is said to be the brain behind the protest linking certain persons as willing tools.

Sen Lokpobiri (current minister of State Petroleum’s statement regarding the proposed nationwide protest compounded the political horse trading in the state. Given room for the government’s social media boys to wag their tails unnecessarily, causing a dose of political bad blood amongst Bayelsans.

Unfortunately, the proposed nationwide protest was politicized here in Bayelsa probably because the protest was close to the 2023 Bayelsa Governorship petition which was before the Supreme Court. The PDP led government was more concerned with the outcome of the Supreme Court judgement instead of focusing on good governance which they have woefully failed to deliver to the people. This notion that Bayelsa is a PDP state and therefore qualified and competent candidates from other parties cannot rule has placed Bayelsa as one of the most backward states amongst commity of progressives states despite it huge allocation.

APC leadership and the candidate of the party, Chief Timpre Sylva challenging the outcome of the November, 2023 Governorship Election is in itself a form of protest. Moreso, elections are said not to be over until the Supreme Court pronounced its final verdict.

Chief David Lyon’s victory at the 2019 Bayelsa Governorship Election and the Imo State election where the APC candidate who took fourth position as announced by the Independent National Electioral Commission, INEC as declared Governor by the Supreme Court are cases in point Leaving Nigeria Political students and watchers of political events to cion the popular political phrase ” As the courts voted”.

Sadly for us in Bayelsa the votes of the electorate never counted. This is the genesis of miracle governor slogan in the state..

Be that it may be, the absence of transforming energy power that had earned the state, capital of darkness in Nigeria federation.

The absence of potable drinking water is enough reason for people to speak out or protest against the Senator Duoye Diri led pdp government in Bayelsa.

The Bayelsa state water board facility has been abandoned to the extent that water vendors now supply water to the facility.

Interestingly, water is everywhere but no potable drinking water in Bayelsa state. This has become a painful and sad commentary Bayelsans had lived with for over a decade plus.

In the days of Chief DSP Alameyesiagha, water was distributed via water tanks to citizenry. For the fact that the administration was focused and people oriented it established Bayelsa state water board. With the coming on board of Chief Timpre Sylva administration, Bayelsans especially those resident in Yenagoa, the state capital witnessed certain degree of water recticulation but the project suffered abandonment by subsequent governments.

The provision of basic social amenities remain a cardinal focus of government and good governance in any part of the globe.

It is necessary to note that water, energy power provision amonug others are veritable criteria to measure the living standand of the people

The protest has brought to the fore the need for Bayelsans to speak out against the ills plaguing the state.

The lack of potable drinking water, transforming energy power, and other basic amenities has earned Bayelsa the unenviable title of “capital of darkness” in Nigeria.

Despite budgetary provisions, the state’s water board facility lies abandoned, and water vendors now supply water to the facility. This is a sad commentary on the state of governance in Bayelsa.

The issue of water provision is not new; past administrations have made efforts to address it, but the current situation is a clear indication of poor welfare and governance.

Furthermore, the comparison with Edo State, which has achieved significant milestones in refinery construction, gas turbine plants, and minimum wage implementation, highlights Bayelsa’s stagnation.

The state’s failure to install a gas turbine procured over thirteen years ago, despite budget provisions, is a clear example of poor governance.

I urge the Senator Duoye Diri-led government to prioritize the welfare of citizens, particularly in the areas of water provision, energy power, and minimum wage implementation.

Failure to do so may have dire consequences for the state. Let us work together to ensure that Bayelsa State returns to its former glory as a champion of development and good governance.

To be continued…

Hon Ofoni D WILLIAMS, Founding Father of the creation of Bayelsa state, Writes from Yenagoa

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