By Our Correspondent, Yenagoa
National News – A group known as the Alabini People Coalition has called on Comrade Solomon Charles Ikpaka, National Coordinator of Safe and Better Nigeria, to contest the Bayelsa State House of Assembly seat for Ekeremor Constituency III, citing what it described as years of poor and ineffective leadership in the area.
In a press statement by its leadership, the coalition, which said it represents youths from the seventeen communities that make up the Alabini axis of the constituency, argued that the people have endured long periods of neglect and underdevelopment due to what it called recycled and visionless leadership.
The statement was jointly signed by Comrade Papin Alabor, Chairman; Hon. Eniyekedi Lagos, Director General; Chief Ebifuobo Idolo, Constituency Coordinator; Miss Daughter Area, Deputy Director General and Woman Leader; and Comrade Itubu Ogi, Adviser.
The group lamented that many individuals who had occupied leadership positions as community heads, political actors and constituency representatives had failed to deliver meaningful development to the people.
According to the coalition, many communities in the constituency still struggle with poor road networks, limited opportunities for young people and a lack of basic infrastructure, while those elected to represent the people have treated leadership as a personal enterprise rather than a responsibility to the public.
The coalition declared that the people of Alabini are no longer willing to accept what it described as deceptive political promises and the practice of “stomach infrastructure” often associated with election periods.
It warned that attempts by politicians to influence voters through temporary inducements ahead of future elections would no longer succeed, insisting that the people are now politically aware and determined to protect their future through the power of their votes.
The group therefore urged Ikpaka to heed what it called the growing call from the grassroots and step forward to contest the Ekeremor Constituency III seat in the Bayelsa State House of Assembly.
The coalition described Ikpaka as a courageous and people-oriented leader whose humanitarian activities and community engagements have positively impacted several communities in the Alabini area.
It said his efforts in empowering people and supporting community development had earned him the trust and admiration of many youths and grassroots stakeholders in the constituency.
According to the coalition, the constituency is in need of a generational shift in leadership that would bring fresh ideas, stronger advocacy for development and greater accountability in representation.
The group pledged that if Ikpaka decides to run for the seat under any political platform, it would mobilise youths and community members across the seventeen Alabini communities to support his candidacy.
“The struggle for credible leadership, justice and genuine development in Alabini has begun. The people are ready and the time for transformation is now,” the coalition stated.
