Group plans protest over Jonathan’s interference in Bayelsa LG politics

A group, the Ogbia Development and Progressives Congress (ODPC), has concluded plans to stage a protest against former President Goodluck Jonathan to express their displeasure over what it described as his “continuous and unholy interference” in the local politics of Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

The group said rather than remain a statesman that he ought to be like other former presidents, Jonathan has “soaked himself deeply in the murky waters of the local Ogbia politics”, deciding who gets what, when, and how to the detriment of the people of the area.

The ODPC, in a statement, lamented that Ogbia has remained backward over the years following the “incompetent and clueless leaders” that the former president had allegedly foisted on the people.

The group, in the statement issued by its spokesman, Azibartaram Robert, on Sunday, February 25, 2024, said they had thought that Jonathan would use the forthcoming local council election to correct the mistakes of the past, “but sadly he has allegedly handpicked someone that lacks the needed capacity to become the next chairman of Ogbia Local Government” and a known member of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

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It further accused Jonathan of nominating a civil servant and wife of the traditional ruler of his community as vice chairman who is also allegedly related to him just as the nominated councillors are also from Otuoke who are all said to be members of his immediate family.

“Same applies to other political appointments that he has made before now like RDA chairman, commissioners and even the least appointees are members of his family,” the ODPC added.

The group, however, said its members are ready to storm Jonathan’s residence in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, to demand that he stop interloping in the political activities of Ogbia Local Government Area and maintain his rightful status as a respected statesman and global leader.

“We’re tired of one man always doing the bidding of a few desperate and power-thirsty people. The planned protest would be our own way to tell the world that the undue interference in Ogbia politics by Goodluck Jonathan over the years has contributed to Ogbia’s under-development,” it said.

The Star