Bayelsa Guber/ Introducing the man David Lyon -By Aluzu Ebikebuna Augustine

TRACKING >>Just as the splinter of sugar on the dining table attracts the soldiers of an African ant, so has the emergence of one man piqued the political interest of the vast majority in Bayelsa state.

In the light of the forthcoming gubernatorial election in Bayelsa state, the emergence of one man who is not a stranger to many has changed the political conjecture in the state. It is the concern of few who genuinely do not know him and to dispel half truths concocted by his traducers that I have deemed it necessary to set the records straight about the multibillionaire worthy son of Olugbobiri community.

Who is David Lyon?

David Lyon was born to the family of Mr and Mrs Arukubu Lyon Ekpeke of Abebiri family of Eubiri compound of Olugbobiri Community in Olodiama clan of Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, Bayelsa state.

He is a Christian and happily married with children.

Mr. Lyon attended Saint Gabriel State School Olugbobiri and holds a National Certificate in Education (NCE).

Mr. Lyon is a successful businessman who has never been associated with or involved in militancy or cultism contrary to public opinion. His business sojourn started when the people of Olugbobiri community made him their youth president.

His concern for his people made him continue to invest in human capacity development. Mr. Lyon is a philanthropist. He has David Lyon Foundation part of which is the David Lyon Ebidou-Ogbo Welfare Association of Bayelsa State which is duly registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission.

Through his numerous Foundations, Mr. Lyon has continued to affect the lives of the common people in the state. For example, David Lyon is responsible for scholarships of people from primary, secondary to their tertiary education. In 2018, he gave ₦60,000 to all the widows in Olugbobiri community each widow in all the communities in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area.

David Lyon also pays salaries to the aged and provide staple food to the disabled in the society and he does same even on every yuletide.

His company, Darlon securities has affiliation with Dragon securities and has employed more than 1000 men and women of which are mostly Bayelsans till date. His employment cuts across all the local government in Bayelsa state and pays them in hundreds of thousands.

Mr. Lyon personally saw the construction of some internal roads in Olugbobiri community.

His political sojourn saw him elected to the position of youth leader jn Olugbobiri community. He was also a one time caretaker chairman of Apoi/Olodiama development centre.

Reacting to claims that David Lyon is not academically qualified to vie for the Office of the Governor of Bayelsa state.

The combined reading of section 177 and 318 of the Constitution as well as section 138 of the Electoral Act, Mr. Lyon is more than qualified to contest the office.

For the avoidance of doubt, Mr. David Lyon is the most acceptable aspirant in the APC to fly the party’s flag come 16 November, 2019 governorship election in Bayelsa state.

Mr Lyon who has built a multi-billion naira empire in the oil and gas industry without any allegation of malfeasance against him or government patronage over the years has not only shown character but prudence as a leader.

That in itself is competence. For it takes a man with not just character but good character to earn the trust of a multinational company such as Agip.

Little wonder his introduction into the contest has changed the political conjecture in his favour.

In a state where men with questionable characters always rise to the echelon, the emergence of David Lyon as the Governor of Bayelsa state will be a reprieve for advocates of quality governance.

As APC prepare to go into the primaries in two days time, we urge all to vote massively for David Lyon of the APC if the party is to stand a chance in reversing the outcome of the 2015 governorship election in the state this time.

Timipre Sylva, has made the midas choice in picking David Lyon.

It is better to entrust the state in the hands of a successful businessman and one with a good working experience in public service instead of recycling big names with barrage of unrealistic promises.