Being a Communiques Issued By Bayelsa East Senatorial District Stakeholders And United Bayelsa East Senatorial District Forum Are Further Confirmation Of The Uniqueness Of The Great People Of The Senatorial District
Introduction
Politics like other Social Science concepts does not have a universally acceptable definition, however the one by the famous American scholar, Harold Dwight Lasswell suffices because of its apt, succinct and all encompassing prowess. Harold Dwight Lasswell (1936) defined Politics as “who gets what, when and how”.
Generally, attempts at describing the practicability of politics has remained as Herculean as the adventures and encounter between the blind men and the elephant wherein each of the blind men tried to describe the elephant based on their Individual feelings.
But despite the manoeuvring and intricacies associated with politics, the great people of Ogbia, Nembe and Brass Local Government Areas have proven again and again, that people from diverse backgrounds can live and work together peacefully and harmoniously in the midst of diverse interests.
While many Local Government Areas that make up respective Senatorial Districts in the country are in disarray over marginalization, political dominance and other challenges, the people of Bayelsa East Senatorial District are bonding stronger and more united.
The above shows the high level of political exposure of the people and the placement of their peace, unity and harmonious co-existence above party differences and political interests.
The Commendable Patriotic Actions Of Bayelsa East Senatorial District Stakeholders And United Bayelsa East Senatorial District Forum
Few days ago, precisely on Thursday 31st March, 2022 great, unique and very outstanding Elders, Leaders, Scholars, Captains of Industry and other noble Minds published two separate excellent COMMUNIQUES which were products of their communications, political thoughts and positions.
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The documents which can be likened to travelers from different locations to the same destination dwelled solely on the issue of consolidation of the age long Zoning and the need for Renegotiation of the existing One Term.
The two documents which are in circulation on various Social Media platforms agreed on the need for upward review of the existing One Term to a maximum of Two Terms for each of the Local Government Areas that make up the Senatorial District.
They however differed on the area of commencement cum implementation. While the Bayelsa East Senatorial District Stakeholders suggested the commencement with Ogbia Local Government Area which is next in line in the existing zoning arrangement, United Bayelsa East Senatorial District Forum on the other hand, hold that the implementation of the review should commence with Nembe Local Government Area that is already occupying the position.
The Beauty Of The Arguments
One distinct and very adorable fact about the two groups is their unbiased, objective and dispassionate stance. Strangely and uniquely too, is the fact that both groups have very eminent and prominent Elders and Leaders from the three local government area who are arguing not for themselves or their distinct local government areas, rather they are all arguing for the greatness, peace and unity and oneness of the Senatorial District.
The Need For Third Party Reconciliatory Role
The Holy Bible in the book of 1 King 3:16-28 presented a scenario that has remained a daily reference point in the history of humanity.
Even though the case is a common one among Bible students and Christians in general, it is pertinent to recount here in order to connect and also flow with the prevalent situation.
Two women who lived together gave birth same time. Unfortunately, one of them trampled on her baby while asleep. When she discovered that she had killed her child, she quickly exchanged the dead baby with that of her friend.
When the friend woke up and saw a dead baby which is different from her real child, she raised alarm but her friend insisted the otherwise.
Both women were then presented to King Solomon who was young and perhaps naive by human judgement and ramifications.
After heated arguments and quarrels, King Solomon simply ordered for a Sword with which he wanted to Divide the innocent child into two parts to end the quarrels.
But while the woman that carelessly killed her child accepted the verdict, the real mother of the innocent child cried aloud and begged the King to spare the life of the child that deserve to live to fulfill his destiny, vision and mission on earth.
At that point, the real mother jettisoned her personal interest, but placed the life of the child above every other considerations. In her sobbing mood she willingly surrendered her child to her friend. But in a self conciliatory voice she muttered that the child will know his real mother when he grows up.
Her touchy words did not only spare the life of the child, King Solomon immediately ordered that the child be handed over to her.
Two months ago, precisely on 2nd January, 2022. I wrote a piece that was titled “The Need To Rethink And Also Renegotiate The One Term Rotational Senate Seat Of Bayelsa East Senatorial District.
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The post went viral and was published in several national dailies and other notable platforms but it was greeted with backlashes including hatred, name calling and others mostly by young people and adults that perhaps do not have enough information about the workings of the National Assembly especially when it comes to the internal rules of the National Assembly and the issue of Ranking Senators and the inherent benefits to the Representatives and the Constituents.
But I am happy that two months after, majority of our great and very outstanding Elders, Leaders and even youths have seen the need for the Renegotiation and Upward Review of the above to a maximum of Two Terms for each Local Government Area.
The Need For Review Of Our Faulty Reward System
In the spirit of the ongoing Review, I wish to make a Passionate Appeal again but this time on the need for the review of our Reward System.
It is general knowledge that motivation enhances efficiency and productivity in all workplaces.
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Unfortunately, over the years, good leaders have been rewarded with evil, while bad people are often given more and more promotions which has institutionalized the triumph of evil above good and the attendant consequences is the gross underdevelopment, retrogression, stagnation and backwardness of our great Senatorial District.
Bayelsa East has the best brains, most innovative and resourceful minds, yet, it seems to be the most backward in terms of Infrastructural development.
It is an undisputable fact that for any society to make meaningful and impactful progress, that the right persons must be given leadership responsibilities and the above has to be laced and complimented with a positive Reward System.
The above will not only engender peace, unity, mutual co-existence and healthy competition but will also promote competence and credibility, while deemphasizing compensatory politics and violence.
It was on this note that the Bayelsa East Non-Alliance Movement (BEAM) resolved on 31st January, 2022 to pass a VOTE OF CONFIDENCE on Very Distinguished Senator Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo and also promised to buy him the Expression of Interest and Nomination Form of his party.
Our position is based on the tremendous, marvellous and very commendable work that he is doing in the Nigerian Senate that were also vividly captured in the Communiques that were written by the Bayelsa East Senatorial District Stakeholders and United Bayelsa East Senatorial District Forum.
We are happy that majority of the Elders, Leaders, Youths great men and women of the Senatorial District acknowledges the resounding positive impacts of Senator Degi. As a matter of fact, this is one of the rarest situations and cases where members of the ruling and opposition parties, men and women of goodwill all agree that he is performing excellently in his legislative duties and in terms of attracting and sharing of dividends of democracy to the three(3) local government areas.
Beam, therefore appeal and also hold strongly that Very Distinguished Senator Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo who is from Nembe Local Government Area should be allowed to do a Second Term so that Ogbia Local Government will do her Two Terms from 2027 and then move to Brass Local Government Area for same.
Finally, I wish to commend and appreciate the high level of maturity, spirit of understanding and peaceful disposition of the great people of Bayelsa East Senatorial District that has continually distinguished the Senatorial District. I also pray that we should continue to place the collective Interest of our great people above self.
~ Most Senior Comrade Wisdom Oniekpar Ikuli aka Mirror and Conscience of Society.
Need To Rethink And Also Renegotiate The One Term Rotational Senate Seat Of Bayelsa East Senatorial District
Introduction
This topic is likened to the issue of the unity of Nigeria in the Nigerian Constitution that is often regarded as a “NO GO AREA”.
But as sensitive as it is, countless number of persons both young and old, rich and poor, partisan and non-partisan at one point or the other have had deep thoughts about the need to review the One Term arrangement that has often deprived and denied Senators from Bayelsa East great opportunities in the Nigerian Senate due to their lack of experiences
For the purpose of clarity and better understanding of the Crux cum subject, it is pertinent for me to lay some basic foundation.
Composition Of Bayelsa East Senatorial District
Bayelsa State like every other state in the federation has three (3) Senatorial Districts. So, in all, the Nigerian Senate has a total of 109 Senators. The above include those of the 36 States and One Senator Representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja.
Here in Bayelsa State, we have the Bayelsa Central Senatorial District which covers Southern Ijaw, Yenagoa and Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Areas. Bayelsa West covers Ekeremor and Sagbama Local Government Areas. While Bayelsa East covers Ogbia, Nembe and Brass Local Government Areas.
Unwritten/Gentleman Agreement For Rotation Of Senatorial Seat
In the spirit of love, unity and oneness, the leaders of Ogbia, Nembe and Brass Local Government Areas agreed on the rotation of the Senatorial seat among the three (3) Local Government Areas, a positive development that has helped in no small measure in fostering and promoting peace, unity, harmony, mutual respect and cooperation and further helped to reduce tension and violence to the barest minimum.
At the inception of our contemporary democracy, Chief (Dr) Melford Obiene Okilo CON, the first Civilian Governor of old Rivers State from Ogbia Local Government Area was elected into the Nigerian Senate in 1999 and he served for one term (1999-2003).
The people of Bayelsa East actually wanted Okilo to do another term because of his pedigree, track record, positive antecedents and vast connections especially his relationship with the North, but he declined because of his age and health challenges.
Okilo then brought Inatimi Spiff from Brass Local Government Area who was like a foster son to him to take over from him. Inatimi Spiff spent one term in the Senate (2003-2007) and he was denied a return ticket to go back to the Senate for a second term.
Thereafter, Chief Barigha Amange from Nembe then took over the Bayelsa East Senatorial position in 2007 and left in 2011 because he was not also given a second term return ticket.
The position having rotated round the three local government areas, it then started with Ogbia Local Government Area again. Based on the prevalent arrangement, Chief (Hon.) Clever Ikisikpo was elected into the Nigerian Senate in 2011 and like others before him, he spent only one term (2011-2015).
Ben Murray Bruce from Brass Local Government Area took over from Senator Clever Ikisikpo and spent one term (2015-2019) before it shifted to Nembe Local Government Area where Bishop Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo was elected under the umbrella of the All Progressive Congress (APC).
Having laid the above historical background, it is sacrosanct to proceed to look at other key issues.
The Primary Function Of The Legislature
Quickly, it is imperative to state categorically that the Legislature, in this case the Nigerian Senate performs six (6) functions:
1. Law making
2. Correction of Defects in Laws
3. Approval of Judicial Appointments
4. Approval of other Federal Appointments
5. Control of Public Funds
6. Removal of the President or Vice President through Impeachment where and when he or she is found wanting.
The 1999 Nigerian Constitution (2011 As Amended) in Section 4 (1) provides that “The legislative powers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria shall be vested on a National Assembly for the Federation which shall consist of a Senate and a House of Representative”.
Section 4 (2) of the same Constitution also provides that “The National Assembly shall have power to make laws for the peace, order and good governance of the Federation or any part thereof with respect to any matter included in the Executive Legislative List set out in Part 1 of the Second Schedule to this Constitution.
The Technicalities And Difficulties Of Law Making
The Legislature which covers the Legislative Arm at the Local Government level, the Houses of Assembly at the State level and the Senate and House of Representatives at the National level is the SYMBOL OF DEMOCRACY all over the world.
Because of the importance and sacredness of the Legislature, it is often the number one victim and casualty during Military coups/regimes.
The moment military seizes power from civilian administrations, the first casualty is usually the Legislature which it suspends because it is only the Legislature that has legitimate, legal and constitutional powers to make laws in any democratic country.
Now having known or realized the overwhelming power of the Legislature, you will agree with me that it requires a lot of experiences.
Because of the sanctity, sacredness and overwhelming importance of the Legislature, old democracies like Canada, Britain and the United States of America that we fashioned, tailored and copied our contemporary democracy from, always encourage and emphasize experience.
The government and citizens (electorates) always want people with vast experiences to remain and serve in order to turn out positive laws and results.
There are Legislators, lawmakers in America for example that have spent 30 to 40years in the National Assembly.
Some may be tempted to argue with me that it is not the number of years that matter especially when there are Legislative Aides that help their Lawmakers, but one thing we cannot take away is the issue of experience. Every system require experience. Again, Legislative Aides have their limits. One classic example is the fact that they can help to prepare good Bills and Motions, but they cannot stand on the Floor of the Hollowed Chamber to present such Draft Motions and Bills. The above is the exclusive duty of the Senator or Member of the House.
Oversight Function Of The Legislature
Chapter 5 Part 11 Section 80 (1) – (4) and 88 (1) – (2)b of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (As Amended) dwells extensively on the powers of the Legislature to perform Oversight Function over the Executive Arm.
While the Legislature in this case represented by Senators have constitutional powers to perform Oversight, it also depends on the capacity, experiences, lobbying power and capability of the individual Senator.
Internal Politics In The Senate
The Nigerian Senate which is one of the highest Institutions in the country is very sacred and deep. Because of its sacredness, political parties and individuals struggle to have firm control of the Senate.
So beside the issue of contention between political parties to lead and head the upper legislative chamber, Senators also struggle to head Committees in the Senate. Among the committees, those that are designated as juicy ones are usually reserved for Ranking Senators, these are Senators that have been in the Senate for more than one term.
Shortchanging Of Bayelsa East Senators And The Constituents
There are internal rules in the Nigerian Senate that are never compromised. One of such rules is the issue of Ranking Senators. These Ranking Senators head several Committees that give them control over several Federal government ministries, departments, agencies, commissions and others due to their oversight functions.
Because of the constitutional powers of oversight, they often have access to several Employment opportunities, Contracts and other countless opportunities. Their interests are often considered and built into Budgets of the ministries, agencies, parastatals that they are Chairmen in the Senate and are performing oversight.
Unfortunately, Senators from Bayelsa East have never been qualified to be admitted into the revered cycle of ‘RANKING SENATORS’. So, our Senators are often treated as baby (junior) cum second class Senators. I am sorry for using some of the words like baby Senators, but this is obvious Truth and it is the best word we can use to describe our Senators and their pitiable situation. Very often, they are given remnant positions including Vice Chairman and Members of committees after the juicy positions have been shared among the Ranking Senators.
But in this case we cannot blame anyone because it is self-inflicted. I say the above because those positions are automatic. They are merited based on position as Ranking Senators and not based on sentiments and biases. Our Senators will automatically enjoy the same privileges if they stay longer than the usual one term they are often given.
When we look at the development, it is the Constituents, I mean the people of Bayelsa East that suffer most because they are deprived of great opportunities that they are supposed to get if their Senators are among the league of Ranking Senators who can use their privileged positions to attract great opportunities in terms of Employments, contracts and projects to their people.
Argument In Favour Of The Need To Review The One Term Arrangement
Our great sage, His Excellency Chief (Sen.) Dr. Melford Obiene Okilo CON who took the first slot in the zoning arrangement would have stayed for two terms of 4years each but due to age and health challenge, he voluntarily without any form of compulsion relinquished it. But even in doing so, he gave the Senate Seat to Inatimi Spiff who was like a foster son to Okilo.
Over the years, successive occupants of that position have tried to run for second term which has often been resisted by the people due to the zoning arrangement. It is so because the people of Bayelsa East have never sat down to review their stance on the above subject including the impacts of the One Term on the performance of the Senators.
Those who are following activities of the Senate will agree that Bayelsa East have always presented some of the most intelligent, brilliant, resourceful, bold, vibrant, articulate, audacious, sagacious, focused and visionary Senators but the question we have not taken time to ask is about the factors that affect the level of dividends that they attract to the Senatorial District.
In fairness and honesty, our successive Senators have done very well for been able to attract the much they brought in the midst of their disadvantaged positions and the so much pains they go through as junior Senators.
Conclusion Cum Passionate Appeal For Review Of The One Term Arrangement
As I conclude this piece, I wish to humbly Appeal and suggest the need for the Review of our position concerning the One Term arrangement.
There are so many persons including critical stakeholders from Ogbia, Nembe and Brass Local Government Areas who hold same views that our Senators like the Governors and most of their counterparts in the State House of Assembly should be given two terms to enable them gain experiences, create more positive impacts and also help them to get something for themselves as against the pitiable situations where Bayelsa East Senators always come back home with empty hands after spending their little monies on post-election litigations.
My position here is not strange or impossible considering the fact that Senators from Bayelsa Central and Bayelsa West spend more than one term and the issue of one term is only practiced in Bayelsa East.
The question now may be about who to start, but we can start anywhere. Ogbia took the first slot and started the one term system due to all the reasons I gave above. Based on exigencies and realities of the day, there is need for renegotiation and adjustment. We can be courageous and magnanimous to start anywhere in the spirit of love, unity, equity, fairness and justice.
Ogbia Alua!
Nembe Nua!
Brass Nua
~ Most Senior Comrade Wisdom Oniekpar Ikuli
Mirror a!nd Conscience of Society
* Celebrated and Award Winning Author, Environmental and Human Rights Activist, Public Commentator and Analyst
* Former National Director of Mobilization & Chairman, Action Committee Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide
* Former Acting President
Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide
* National President
Niger Delta Nonviolence Agitators Forum (NDNAF
