Bayelsa youths have called for the 2028 governorship ticket to be zoned to the Bayelsa East Senatorial District, arguing that political fairness and historical balance necessitate the shift.
The appeal comes amid growing speculation that prominent politicians from the Bayelsa West Senatorial District, including the Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, and the Minister of State for Petroleum, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, are eyeing the state’s top office.
The youth made their position clear through Comrade Olali Frank, a youth leader who addressed reporters. Frank warned that any move by Bayelsa West to produce the next governor would violate the state’s informal zoning arrangement, potentially threatening political stability.
Frank emphasized that respect for the rotational system among the three senatorial zones—Central, East, and West—has been a key factor in maintaining peace in the state. He stated that Bayelsa West had already produced a governor for eight uninterrupted years and should not seek another term in 2028.
He provided a chronological breakdown of the state’s political leadership to support his argument. The first democratically elected governor, Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha, hailed from Bayelsa Central and held office until his impeachment. His deputy, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan from Bayelsa East, completed the term before eventually becoming Nigeria’s Vice President and later President.
Following that, Chief Timipre Sylva, also from Bayelsa East, was elected governor in 2007. Though his initial victory was overturned by the court, Sylva won the re-run election in 2008 and governed until 2012. According to Frank, the combined tenure of Jonathan and Sylva amounted to only six years for Bayelsa East.
In contrast, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson from Bayelsa West served a full two terms from 2012 to 2020. The current governor, Senator Douye Diri from Bayelsa Central, is now in his second term, which will conclude in 2028.
Frank argued that, following the established zoning sequence, the next governorship should rotate to Bayelsa East. Any deviation from this pattern, he warned, would be seen as a deliberate political affront to the East, which has shown patience and loyalty over the years.
He further stressed that the Sagbama/Ekeremor axis of Bayelsa West, which produced Dickson, should not attempt to reclaim power immediately after Central. Doing so, he argued, would only deepen feelings of marginalization among residents of Bayelsa East.
Frank maintained that justice and unity should guide the next political transition. He urged political actors and stakeholders across the state to respect the zoning practice to ensure fairness and continued harmony.
In a pointed remark, he called on Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo and Minister Heineken Lokpobiri to step aside and allow the East its turn. He noted that allowing these high-ranking officials from Bayelsa West to run would undermine the zoning system and could trigger avoidable political tensions.
Frank concluded his address by endorsing Chief Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, the current Managing Director and CEO of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), as a suitable candidate from Bayelsa East. He described Ogbuku as the ideal successor to Governor Douye Diri, citing his leadership experience and regional credentials.
He urged all political stakeholders in Bayelsa State to support Ogbuku’s candidacy as a means of restoring political balance and honouring the unspoken agreement of rotational leadership. Frank warned that ignoring Bayelsa East’s turn in 2028 could provoke unrest and undo the fragile unity the state has managed to preserve through zoning.
The call by the youths is likely to intensify the political conversation ahead of the 2028 election, especially as politicians begin to declare interest in the governorship. Whether the political establishment will respect the informal zoning structure remains to be seen.
