By Ikechukwu Okaforadi
In the bid to ensure good governance capable of attracting more foreign investments, the people of Bayelsa State have been called upon to reject candidates with questionable character and background from being elected in the governorship election coming up later this year.
Bayelsans were specifically challenged to protect the image of the state by not voting for people whose antecedents will scare investors and development partners from investing in the state.
The fresh appeal was made on Wednesday in a statement issued in Abuja by a group, Network of Bayelsa Professionals, NBP.
The statement signed by their spokesman, Mr. Deinmobofa Tantua, said that Bayelsa as a state yearning for genuine development should not be allowed to be governed by people with integrity deficit.
It noted that if elected, the horrible past of some of the candidates and their running mates which is now hunting them will create a lukewarm attitude for those who are already interested in investing in the state because of the current peace and stability being enjoyed.
The professionals described Bayelsa as a unique state that deserved to be governed not only by the best brain’s with genuine concern for the overall development but with also sound character and unblemished record in academic qualifications.
“Let the point be made here that we are not partisan Professionals. We are concerned professionals genuinely pursuing good governance for the good of our state.
“The era of unnecessary political upheavals has in the last four years paved way for peaceful atmosphere with the people now operating as one big family. Our prayer is that the people of Bayelsa should build on this peaceful atmosphere created by the current government to open more door’s for foreign and local investments.
“With Bayelsa’s unique location coupled with the prevailing peaceful atmosphere and the efforts of the Douye Diri led administration, joblessness and hunger would soon be reduced in the state”.
The professionals pleaded with the people to use the November governorship election to solidify the peace, tranquility and harmony and take the state to greater heights by investing their votes for continuity.
They urged the people not to allow the influence of money and material gains sway them into wrong side during the gubernatorial election but to remain purposeful and resolute in ensuring sustainability of the prevailing peace in the state.
“Bayelsa and Bayelsans cannot afford to be governed by people with integrity deficit in the educational background and character and therefore by popular estimation, Douye Diri and his Deputy, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo remain the best choice now to continue to lead the State.
“Governor Douye Diri’s continued disposition to peace in the state will bring tremendous development especially foreign investments in no distant time.
“We are shocked to see in the media the criminal records of some of the gladiators in the coming election. Certainly, that is not the kind of people we want to lead a state like ours.
“More worrisome is the fact that those with such tainted past are even boasting shamelessly, not having any kind of remorse. This is unacceptable” the statement added.
The group pleaded with the people of the state to team up with the governor to drive development, sustain and promote the prevailing peaceful atmosphere in the state.
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