November 18, (THEWILL) — Hon. Wisdom Ikuli, Technical Adviser to the Bayelsa State Governor on Media and Public Affairs, has taken a swipe at politicians he alleged were using old grievances to attack Governor Senator Douye Diri.
Ikuli said that before the inception of the ASSURED Prosperity Administration, governance in Bayelsa was dominated by a few political actors, while many citizens were excluded from opportunities.
According to him, Governor Diri’s administration has opened access to government benefits and opportunities to all Bayelsans, regardless of political affiliation.
“Before the ASSURED Prosperity administration, there were two broad categories of Bayelsans: politicians and beneficiaries of government patronage, and spectators.
“Governor Diri changed this by giving all citizens equal opportunity and access to government,” Ikuli said.
He noted that in the past, public officials often treated state resources as their personal property, and appointments were based on political connections rather than competence or performance.
The lack of development and negative attention on Bayelsa, he added, contributed to the state’s isolation.
“Under the ASSURED Prosperity administration, governance is all-inclusive. All Bayelsans are critical stakeholders, and benefits are open to everyone irrespective of political party,” Ikuli emphasized.
Describing Diri as “God-sent,” Ikuli said the governor was specifically brought in to change Bayelsa’s story, comparing his impact to that of former Akwa Ibom Governor Godswill Akpabio.
“Today, Bayelsa is like a construction site with roads, bridges, schools, and health centres visible everywhere,” he said.
He criticized a small group of leaders, claiming less than 5% of Bayelsans, for attempting to create the impression that Diri abandoned the PDP for the APC.
“Bayelsans understand that political parties are vehicles to achieve development; the destination matters more than the vehicle,” he said.
Ikuli highlighted the state’s improved business climate, investor interest, and peace and security under Governor Diri.
“The community policing strategy is unique and emulated by other states. Governor Diri has set a leadership standard for future administrations,” he added.
He concluded with a warning to critics:
“Those conspiring to paint the governor in a bad light should wake up to the realities of the time. Bayelsa will no longer be entrusted to characters whose only credentials are years in politics or party loyalty.
“Senator Douye Diri is the greatest thing that has happened to our contemporary democracy. He is God-sent, and we are following him.”
Amos Okioma is a Correspondent at THEWILL
