Stakeholders from creek communities in Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State have passed a vote of confidence in Governor Douye Diri and his deputy, Pastor Peter Pereotubo Akpe, while calling for the micro-zoning of the National Assembly seat to their area ahead of the 2027 elections.
The resolution was reached during an enlarged stakeholders’ meeting held in Yenagoa on March 31, 2026. The gathering brought together representatives from Ward 6, Ward 11, and Ward 12, which include several creek communities across Constituency II of the local government area.
In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, the stakeholders appealed to the state leadership to ensure that the National Assembly seat allocated to Sagbama is zoned to the creek communities. They said such a move would promote equity, fairness, and inclusiveness in political representation.
The stakeholders specifically urged that a credible and qualified candidate from any of the three wards be considered for either the House of Representatives or Senate position in the forthcoming 2027 elections.
They expressed concern over what they described as long-standing political marginalization of the creek communities. According to the communiqué, since the return to democratic governance from the era of the old Rivers State to the present Bayelsa State, no individual from Ward 6, Ward 11, or Ward 12 has been elected to represent the area in the National Assembly.
The group noted that this exclusion has persisted despite the contributions and population of the creek communities within Sagbama Constituency II. They argued that the continued absence of representation at the federal legislative level has limited the area’s access to political influence and developmental opportunities.
The communiqué also referenced a previous instance in which the Senate seat was zoned to Sagbama Constituency II but was eventually occupied by Senator Foster Ogola from Ward 10, located in Sagbama town. The stakeholders said this outcome further deepened the sense of exclusion among the creek communities.
They therefore called on Governor Diri to address what they described as historical imbalance by supporting the zoning of the National Assembly seat to the affected wards. The appeal emphasized the need to give qualified individuals from the creek areas a fair opportunity to represent Sagbama at the national level.
In addition to their demands, the stakeholders expressed strong support for the current administration in Bayelsa State. They passed a unanimous vote of confidence in Governor Diri and his deputy, citing their leadership style and developmental efforts across the state.
The group commended the administration for its commitment to governance and pledged their continued loyalty and cooperation. They reaffirmed their readiness to support the government’s policies and political direction.
The stakeholders also declared their alignment with the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, emphasizing their intention to work within the party structure to achieve their political objectives.
They concluded by reiterating their commitment to the resolutions reached at the meeting and expressed hope that their appeal for equitable representation would be given due consideration ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The communiqué was endorsed by representatives of the various communities present at the meeting, signaling a unified position among the creek wards on the issues raised.
