David Lyon and the Burden of Expectations in Bayelsa

By Ebizi Freeman

From the inception of democracy in Nigeria, Bayelsa state has been governed by only one party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. However, history was made when Bayelsans decided to make a change by voting in the All Progressive Congress, APC with its gubernatorial candidate, David Lyon.

The November 16, 2019 gubernatorial election won by APC was borne out of a great desire from the people of Bayelsa to have a government that would implement programs and policies that would affect the common man on the streets not just in the state capital but in all local government areas of the state.

There seems to be a high level of so many expectations in the minds of the people that David Lyon is the man that would effect a visible change in Bayelsa, the man that would change the narrative of Bayelsans from poverty to prosperity.

While speaking with a resident of Yenagoa, Mr Ebikibena James says he expects the incoming government to engage in massive infrastructural development in Yenagoa, particularly the building of more internal roads that would ensure a free flow of traffic as well as roads that would make the houses of people easily accessible.

Mr James also wants the incoming governor to tackle the issues of insecurity in the state by first ensuring that the street lights are made available to scare away hoodlums who usually use the darkness as a means to perpetrate their heinous criminal activities.

A resident of Kalama in Kolokuma/ Opokuma LGA, Mrs Happy Igbedi says the women of her community would like the incoming governor to provide low interest loans for them to expand their trading businesses.

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A student of the state owned University, Niger Delta University, NDU, Mr Richard Selekemeowei says he expects David Lyon to provide adequate electricity in Amassoma community to help students living outside the campus as well as the resumption of the payment of bursaries which came to a halt during the restoration government.

A business man who is a non indigene resident in Sagbama town, Mr. Henry Nwokocha says the new Governor should provide an enabling environment for small and medium scale businesses to thrive and the incoming government should set up factories that could attract foreign investors.

With the high expectations of the swearing-in of David Lyon on February 14, 2020 Bayelsans and residents of the state are expecting a quick turnaround on their lives. But its penitent to ask, can David Lyon beat these expectations in the next 100 days?