As Diri savours court victories, Bayelsans yearn for development

 

Senator Douye Diri, who ‘miraculously’ emerged the 6th governor of oil-rich Bayelsa State on February 14, 2020, after the Supreme Court sensationally halted the swearing-in of David Lyon of the All Progressives Congress (APC), needs hard to enjoy the goodwill of the people. His test as a governor focused on developing the state has just begun. Lyon had won the November 16, 2019, gubernatorial election, but it was overturned on account of discrepancies in his deputy’s certificate.

While Dirie is still savouring the euphoria of yet another Court of Appeal victory over his sack by the election tribunal, decaying and dilapidated infrastructure in the oil-rich state are some of the leadership challenges Diri faces, as he tries to convince Bayelsans of his ability to turn the fortunes of the state around for the better. More than eight months into his administration, nothing has changed despite over N100 billion accruals from the federation account so far. The governor has spent more time in Abuja trying to defend and consolidate on his miraculous emergence via the courts.

In fairness though, some observers say the many litigations against Diri are distabilising factors capable of scuttling whatever developmental agenda the new governor may have planned for the state. After the elections, many in his camp naturally drifted away, some possibly to the opposition camp, to see what they could salvage of their political career. On being suddenly called back to be governor, it taking Diri months to settle down.

However, while the new helmsman is struggling to find his feet, Bayelsa people have been groaning under the yoke of under-development. It’s as if the last administration left office without anything tangible to show for its eight years in office. With Diri, no tangible project has been initiated for execution. The internal roads in the state capital, Yenagoa, are gradually giving way to gullies. The heavy rains have worsened the situation for residents.

For starters, it took the governor six months to nominate and appoint commissioners. Although this was not his fault, as he had to battle forces within his party to come out with a list that would not further tear the party apart after a fractious electioneering campaign.