Bayelsa Poll Aftermath: Don Urges Politicians To Fulfill Campaign Promises

A University teacher, Dr. Kenneth Nweke, has called on politicians to endeavour to deliver on their campaign promises made to the people, noting that sovereignty belongs to the people.
Nweke, who is associate Professor of Political Science at the Ignatus Ajuru University of Education in Port Harcourt, made the call while reacting to the just concluded Governorship election in Kogi and Bayelsa States.
He specifically said that what happened in Bayelsa State is a lesson to politicians, especially Governors not to take the people for granted, because according to him, there will be a day of reckoning and that what happened in Bayelsa State can be replicated at the national level if the political class continue to renege in their responsibilities.
He said: “I think that it is dawn on seating governors to note that power belongs to the people. That sovereignty actually lies with the people and that it is the peoples’ sovereignty that those in public offices derive their political power.
“Now that power is returning to the actual people it belongs to, it should dawn on them that there is absolute need to have regard for major stakeholders. There is absolute need to have regard to the wishes and aspirations of the people.
“And the essence of government is to protect lives and property and to provide the good life for the citizens. At all levels of government we are not enjoying what we ought to enjoy and except that government at all levels live up to the wishes and aspirations of the people.
“You know what has happened in Bayelsa State could also replicate itself anywhere, anytime, anyway whether at the local government level, of course local government level is barely something that we want to see happen.
“But at state and national levels. The way the All Progressives Congress (APC) won at the national level can also be replicated going forward in 2023, if the political class continue to relegate their constitutional responsibilities to the people.”
He therefore said going forward, those in positions of authority need to protect lives and property and provide the good life, noting: “for me I am almost giving up on the Nigerian state because I cannot see that as we continue to live that the essence of government is defeated.”
The senior lecturer however urged those who have lost in the election to accept it in good fate, as it is actually the people who should determine who governs them.
“It is a strong signal to the political class that the era where power is being taken forcefully from the people and that where the views of the people are being suppressed that someday that the people have a right to determine whether to continue in such political leadership,” he declared.

By: Dennis Naku