By Abdullahi Abdulrahman, Yenagoa
National News – Former State Secretary of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Dinepre Torukeregha, has berated politicians in Bayelsa State, accusing them of practicing “stomach politics” and reducing governance to a struggle for personal survival.
Torukeregha, who spoke in an exclusive interview with National News in Yenagoa, said the political culture in the state has shifted away from service to the people and has instead become a race for food, money and personal gain; pointing to it as the reason behind the massive defections to the APC in Bayelsa.
He lamented that politics in the state is increasingly driven by what he described as “food politics,” where individuals pursue political positions primarily to satisfy personal interests rather than serve the public.
According to him, the wave of defections and cross-carpeting among politicians reflects a system motivated by survival rather than ideology or development.
“The decamping and cross carpeting, going to other parties and forming political parties is all a hustle,” he said.
Torukeregha maintained that governance should be about mobilizing capable individuals who can contribute meaningfully to development, rather than rewarding loyalists who lack the competence to lead.
He warned that the practice of appointing unqualified individuals into key government positions has weakened the efficiency of governance in the state.
“This is one of the reasons why we have some unproductive commissioners heading ministries with no fore knowledge on how to run them efficiently,” he said.
The former labour leader further criticised what he called “monetary politics,” where politicians influence voters with cash rather than presenting credible programmes and policies.
“As long as we are still practising this monetary politics, certainly when money waves, people will equally wave,” he added.
He stressed that elected officials must be individuals who possess the competence and commitment to work for the overall benefit of the people.
Torukeregha, however, urged residents of Bayelsa to remain vigilant as political activities intensify ahead of future elections, noting that the influx of political actors from different parties could heighten tensions.
“Now that gladiators are coming from different political parties, it will not be as usual,” he warned.
He also advised voters not to base their choices solely on party affiliation but instead support candidates who have the capacity and willingness to improve the lives of the people.
According to him, only leaders who are ready to sacrifice their time and resources for the development of Bayelsa should be entrusted with political power.
