An aide to former President Goodluck Jonathan and a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State, has declared that the next senator representing Bayelsa West Senatorial District must come from Ekeremor Local Government Area.
Obriki made the statement during a press briefing in Abuja, citing Sagbama’s 20-year dominance in the Senate.
“For the past 20 years in this Fourth Republic, Sagbama has held the seat, while Ekeremor has only occupied it for eight years,” he said.
The ex-presidential aide emphasized the principle of zoning in Bayelsa West Senatorial District.
“I am from Ekeremor; Dickson is from Sagbama. The Senate seat has been Sagbama’s for 20 years. By 2027, it is Ekeremor’s turn. We will work with our allies to ensure that happens,” Obriki stated.
“These are the only two local governments that make up the federal constituency in Bayelsa West.
“Only Senator Heineken Lokpobiri from Ekeremor has represented the Senate, and he served just two terms.
“When he was about to leave, Dickson presided over a meeting and proposed that the two local government areas alternate two terms each.
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Obriki warned Sen. Dickson against challenging Ekeremor’s claim, adding that “he may be politically strong, but the Ekeremor people are prepared.
“We will work with our allies to ensure we reclaim this seat. If he believes his personal influence is enough, he is mistaken.”
The APC chieftain also defended Governor Douye Diri’s defection to the APC, describing it as a strategic move to attract federal investments to Bayelsa State.
Obriki said that Ijaw communities across Edo, Ondo, Akwa Ibom, and Delta States were represented at Gov. Diri’s defection ceremony.
On former Governor Dickson’s criticisms of Gov. Diri, Obriki dismissed them: “If he is not aligned with Diri, he is on his own. The people of Bayelsa are with Diri, and in the end, we will see who the people support.”
