BADAG Urges Politicians to Unite Behind Gov Diri, Fulfil Foundinding Father's Vision

*Calls for Equitable Distribution of Wealth and Opportunities as Bayelsa Marks 30 Years

By Mac-Ogidi Obebhaziba 

YENAGOA, BAYELSA STATE — As Bayelsa State marks 30 years since its creation and looks ahead to the 2027 general elections, the Bayelsa Development Action Group (BADAG) has called on politicians, youths, women organisations and the entire people of the state to rally behind Governor Douye Diri in achieving the core vision of the state's founding fathers.

L-R Governor Douye Diri, Chief Ernest Jacob Eyineni, up, Comrade Inegbagha Majesty.

The group made the call in a communique issued at the end of its monthly meeting on Thursday, signed by its President, Chief Ernest Jacob Eyineni and the Director-General,  Comrade Inegbagha Majesty.

 The body stress that the founding fathers envisioned a prosperous, united and infrastructurally connected Bayelsa State, anchored on the collective aspirations of the Ijaw people.

BADAG urged politicians across party lines to move away from divisive politics and embrace active, cross-partisan partnerships aimed at accelerating the development of the state.

According to the communique, as Bayelsa celebrates three decades of statehood under the theme, “Celebrating Legacies,” political leaders and stakeholders must place unity and development above partisan interests.

The group said the primary dream of the founding fathers was the unification of the Ijaw people under a common socio-political identity and development agenda.

It therefore called on political actors to de-escalate political tension, abandon destructive and adversarial politics, and put an end to the “pull-him-down syndrome,” which it said has historically slowed regional progress.

The group further noted that the infrastructural vision of the founding fathers depended heavily on bridging the gap between isolated riverine communities and the state capital, Yenagoa.

BADAG particularly commended lawmakers for supporting and fast-tracking approvals for the continued funding of major legacy projects, including critical senatorial road networks such as the Nembe–Brass Road and the Sagbama–Ekeremor Road.

The group also reaffirmed its determination to mobilise support for government policies and programmes aimed at advancing the development and prosperity of Bayelsa State.

However, BADAG expressed concern over the prevailing hunger and poverty among residents, calling for urgent and concerted efforts to improve the living conditions of the people.

The group lamented that many residents were living from hand to mouth, while others had reportedly sold personal property in desperate attempts to meet their daily needs.

It therefore called for the equitable distribution of wealth and opportunities across the state, devoid of sentiment, discrimination or favouritism, to improve livelihoods and create sustainable economic opportunities for the people.

BADAG maintained that as Bayelsa enters a new phase of its development journey, unity, inclusive governance, economic empowerment and collective commitment to the ideals of the founding fathers remain essential to building a prosperous and sustainable future for the state.