Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Dr Peter Akpe, has urged political office holders in the eight local government councils to see their positions as an opportunity to serve the grassroots and prepare for higher responsibility in public service.
Dr Akpe gave the charge on Tuesday at an enlarged meeting with chairmen, principal officers and members of the legislative arms, political secretaries and supervisory councillors of the councils at his office in Government House, Yenagoa.
He advised members of the legislative arms not to treat politics as a profession, imploring them to avoid infighting and to cooperate with their chairmen to make impact at the third tier of government.
According to him, if office holders regard their current assignments as a test for greater opportunities, serving the people well will not be difficult.
He said as representatives of the people at the grassroots, they should use their offices to deliver dividends of democracy that would help secure victory at their polling units and wards in the 2027 general election.
The Bayelsa number two man noted that delivering their polling units was not just about the interest of party candidates, but a personal obligation needed to sustain the system they all belong to.
Dr Akpe also urged them to play active roles in the forthcoming 30th anniversary of the state’s creation by sensitising people at the grassroots to participate in the “Bayelsa at 30” celebrations.
His words: “Every leadership position or political appointment you occupy is an examination you must pass. We want to know what you have done with your stay in office.
“I tell people that every political office is a privilege and an examination we all need to pass and stand a brighter chance of being entrusted with higher responsibility in public service.
“Your position is not to fight or make trouble with your respective chairmen. If there are issues, you bring them up using the right channels for us to address them.
“Loyalty is about one captain and his crew. You cannot have a different agenda from the captain and the crew. Few of us are still struggling to key into the direction the ship is taking.
“You cannot be in these positions and fold your hands. You are the people at the grassroots. So do everything to boost your social and political influence at that level. Your office must bring political dividends to the system.
“Take this as a personal matter to deliver your polling units genuinely. I want you to know that the forthcoming election transcends the flag-bearers; it is about us. You have to bring something to the pool.”
The meeting was attended by the Deputy Chief of Staff, Deputy Governor’s Office, Comrade Gowon Toruyouyei, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief Thompson Amule, Technical Adviser to the Governor on Treasury and Accounts, Mr Timipre Seipulu, and chairmen of the eight local government councils, among others.
