Public affairs commentator and legal practitioner, Barrister Ayebakuro Igbeta, PhD, has called on Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, to give primary consideration to Sagbama Constituency-1 in nominating a successor to the late Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo. The call comes as the state prepares to fill the vacancy created by Ewhrudjakpo’s death following his final burial.
Igbeta made the appeal in a statement issued on Tuesday, 3 February, in which he addressed the ongoing public discourse surrounding who should be nominated to complete the remaining tenure in the office of the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State. He stressed that the governor should be allowed full constitutional freedom to personally select and forward his preferred nominee to the Bayelsa State House of Assembly.
According to Igbeta, the late Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo left behind “very huge shoes” that cannot be filled by just anyone. He argued that Governor Diri, more than any other person, understands the specific qualities, temperament, and competencies that enabled Ewhrudjakpo to contribute to the stability and smooth running of the Prosperity administration over the past six years.
He stated that only the governor truly appreciates the weight of responsibility borne by the deputy governor’s office and the kind of personality required to sustain governance stability. Igbeta noted that the choice of a successor should not be driven by sentiment, sectional pressure, or political appeasement, but by a careful assessment of who can best support the governor in the remaining two years of consolidation.
In the statement, Igbeta emphasized that the office of the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State is particularly critical at this time. He said the position requires an individual with deep understanding of the state’s political environment and the complex socio-economic, cultural, and administrative dynamics that define Bayelsa.
He described the deputy governor’s office as the engine room where government filters minor issues from serious matters of state concern. According to him, many sensitive, emotional, and sometimes trivial matters are handled at that level to allow the governor focus on broader governance priorities.
Igbeta, who is a former Legal Adviser of the Ijaw Youth Council, said this reality demands a successor who possesses uncommon patience. He explained that patience is required not only in dealing with people and prolonged processes, but also in emotional control and anger management, given the pressure associated with the office.
He further stressed the importance of administrative and political experience. Igbeta said the ideal nominee must be well-grounded in administration, governance, and politics, adding that such a person should have previously held both political and administrative offices to effectively navigate the daily challenges of the deputy governor’s desk.
Another key quality identified in the statement is agility. Igbeta noted that the office requires both physical and emotional alertness, including the stamina to sit for long hours and attend to numerous, often unrelated, issues on a daily basis. He warned against appointing someone who might crumble under pressure simply to satisfy political interests.
Beyond outlining these qualities, Igbeta made a specific appeal regarding zoning. He urged Governor Diri to give Sagbama Constituency-1, the home constituency of the late Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, the opportunity to complete the tenure. He argued that such consideration would serve as a form of compensation to the constituency for the sacrifice of their son.
According to him, allowing Sagbama Constituency-1 to produce the next deputy governor would also promote fairness and continuity within the political structure of the state. He maintained that the constituency has individuals with the requisite experience, loyalty, and understanding of the Prosperity administration.
Igbeta called on the governor to take time to identify a candidate from Sagbama Constituency-1 who possesses the right blend of competence, character, patience, and experience. He acknowledged that no two individuals can have identical qualities, but insisted that capable hands exist within the system.
He concluded by noting that within Bayelsa State and the Prosperity administration are men who have worked closely with Governor Diri since the era of former Governor Henry Seriake Dickson. He said some of these individuals, if given the opportunity, could effectively reposition the office of the deputy governor for sustained service delivery and good governance.
Igbeta reaffirmed that while Governor Diri has the right of first refusal in nominating his deputy, that discretion should be exercised with careful consideration of experience, character, and the political sensibilities of Sagbama Constituency-1 as the state moves forward.
