Now That Lyon Has Emerged Governor-Elect In Bayelsa

The much talked about November 16, 2019 gubernatorial election in Bayelsa State has finally come and gone and a winner has since emerged. At the end of collation of all the results from the eight local government areas of the state, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief David Lyon winner, having polled a total of 352,552 votes to defeat his arch rival, Senator Douye Diri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who scored 143,172.
Since then, Bayelsans have been celebrating the victory of Lyon as the incoming governor of the state. The victory is unique as it marks the end of what many political observers refer to as PDP’s 20 years of misrule. To a very large extent, according to those who keenly followed the electioneering processes, the outcome of the polls reflected the wishes and aspirations of the people who were in dire need of a change of government. They demonstrated this at the polls as they, for the first time, defied financial inducements and voted the candidate of their choice.
This was glaringly evident in the state wide jubilation that greeted the declaration of the APC candidate. The major streets of Yenagoa were lit up with songs of bliss and satisfaction. Same was replicated in towns and villages across the state, indicating that the results of the election went the way of majority of the electorate.
However, it is often said that to whom much is given, much is expected. Expectations of Bayelsans from the incoming government are very high. Given the pedigree of the governor-elect, the people are expecting nothing short of good governance.
Therefore, the worrisome security situation in the state must be tackled head-on. No meaningful development can take place in the presence of disturbing insecurity. Once the problem of insecurity is solved, development will become inevitable. Lyon is expected to do well in this regard, being a security expert.
A renowned philanthropist, who, as a private individual, has been providing job opportunities to the youths, giving scholarships to students of indigent parents and donating in cash and kind to the needy, the incoming governor is also expected to do no less in making life better for the people who brought him to the exalted seat of power through the ballot. He should invest in human development.
Also, it is highly expected of the incoming to provide basic amenities such as electricity, road network and potable water across the state. The welfare of civil servants should equally be considered as a priority. Those who had retired from the civil service should be paid their entitlements and promptly too. Education should be critically looked into with a view to reducing the unaffordable school fees in the state owned tertiary institutions as well as adequate funding of all state owned institutions of learning. Students in tertiary institutions should be paid bursary as a way of reducing their financial burdens.
Importantly too, the in-coming governor should be wary of political devourers whose stock in trade is to swoop on any available public funds in their disposal. The governor-elect should surround himself with technocrats who are development oriented instead of those who see politics as a means of amassing illicit wealth to the detriment of the state. The incoming governor should know that those working with him will only celebrate success with him but will certainly not be there to share in his failure. Moreover, David Lyon should be a good listener. As the Holy Book rightly puts it, he should be quick to listen and slow to speak.
During his remarks after receiving his certificate of return from the independent national electoral commission in Yenagoa, Lyon did not leave anyone in doubt that he would deliver the dividends of democracy to the people of Bayelsa State.
The people of Bayelsa State have a key role to play if the incoming governor and his government must record good success. The people must jettison the old fashioned pull-him-down syndrome and give him all necessary support. Those who contested with the incoming governor should not see themselves as losers but winners in the Bayelsa project. They should therefore join hands with him to build a better Bayelsa. It would be foolhardy to continue to waste hard earned or state resources on litigations that may not yield positive results.