Bayelsa Guber: Ijaw Diaspora Council advocates debate for candidates
Prominent Ijaw leaders in Nigeria and the Diaspora on Monday resolved to collaborate under the auspices of Ijaw Elections Initiative towards making the Nov. 11 governorship polls issues based and competitive.
A statement issued on Monday by Dr. Edward Agbai, Secretary, Ijaw Diaspora Council (IDC) said the Ijaw leaders met in virtual forum under the aegis of Ijaw Elections Initiative on Saturday, and agreed to use the Ijaw Diaspora Council (IDC) as a platform alongside individuals and partnering organizations within and outside the Ijaw Nation to conduct a series of election debates for the forth coming 2023 Bayelsa State governorship elections.
According to Agbai, the forum agreed to conduct debates for Bayelsa Governorship Candidates and their Deputies from the various political parties participating in the election.
“Additionally, Ijaw Elections Initiative agreed to engage the candidates in Town Hall sessions in Bayelsa State to share their ideas about a prosperous Bayelsa state through their manifestos and programs.
“We believe that the debates will provide us the opportunity to openly and freely address the challenging issues that are most significant to the people of Bayelsa State. We, therefore, urge all the Bayelsa Governorship Candidates to prepare for the Debate Series to answer publicly and on the record, questions about the issues that matter most to us in many areas, including human capacity building, wealth creation, sustainable economic democracy, political stability, and good governance,” The statement read in part.
A statutory publication of candidates contesting the elections indicates that 17 political parties are fielding candidates for the Bayelsa governorship election slated for Nov. 12.
According to IDC, present at the meeting were Prof. Mondy Gold , President of IDC and President, Hon Gesiere Dorgu-Brisibe ,Chairperson of IDC, Madam Annkio Briggs , Founder and Director of the Non-Governmental Organization Agape Birthrights.
Also at the forum were Dr. Marie Teibowei , Director Public Relations, Bayelsa Medical University, Dr. Antonia Garner, Vice President IDC
Chief Regina Yaboh, Vice President of the Americas, IDC, Dr. Festus Odubo Director of Community Outreach, IDC and Vice President of the Platinum Touch Initiative.
Others in attendance include Prof Prosper Ayawei , National Secretary and Deputy Director (South-South), Big Tent and Executive Director of International Psychometric Centre Abuja), Dr. David Ogula, Human Capital Management Expert at District Attorney, New York, Chief Efiye Bribena, Secretary, Ijaw Elders Forum, Lagos and Chief Emmanuel Ezekiel-Hart , Vice President of Asia Pacific, IDC, Mrs. Rosemary John Oduone, President Ijaw Women Connect, Mr. Jacob Abai, Publisher/CEO, Gbaramatu Voice, and Dr. Edward Agbai, Director of Governance, Black Engineers of Canada
