By Jack Kalio

On Tuesday, a small percentage of the people of Bayelsa State will troop out to  decide who the All Progressives Congress (APC) will  field  to challenge the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) represented by Henry Seriake Dickson, for the governorship of the state. Soon, what looked like a long journey will eventually end with a new phase beginning almost instantly. The road to tomorrow has been thorny. There is need for a recap here.

Senator John Brambaifa is not used to political razzmatazz. Even physically, there is nothing extravagant about him. He is of a moderate height and size. However, when he speaks, you are persuaded to respect his deep intellect; a complete contradiction to a quiet mien that adorns his exterior. He has a dignified gait; almost princely. It is therefore natural to believe that his actions are guided by deliberate decisions; and not sentiments.

Having served as a council chairman many years back before proceeding to the Senate, he is a  grassroots politician. Based on his pedigree, his understanding of pragmatic politics can therefore be taken for granted. These considerations came into focus in August  when he appeared at the National Secretariat of the APC  to pick  nomination  and expression of interest forms for the governorship of Bayelsa State. He did not pick the forms for himself; his interest in the governorship race lies somewhere else; the man is gradually becoming a kingmaker. He picked the forms  for Timi Alaibe.

Brambaifa led a team of elders and young men who said they were merely representing a multitude of other supporters who believe that time has come for Bayelsa citizens to decide who should lead them. One of them said, “We are fed up with being decided for; we are fed up with sitting on the fence and watching while others take decisions for us. It’s our turn to decide who should lead us. What we are doing today is not common among our people. It is rare. But the people have spoken. The people have endorsed one of their own….”

Sylva Dickson Alaibe

When confronted by journalists at the party office, Brambaifa was  unambiguous on why he led the team that endorsed Alaibe. He said the decision was well thought out based on what they had seen as Alaibe’s edge over other aspirants. He declared: “We have decided to buy the forms for him and present him to our people as the most favourable candidate because he will be the best to take the mantle of leadership in Bayelsa State.”

The statement about being the best to take the mantle of leadership in Bayelsa, as expressed by Brambaifa, goes beyond mere political oratory or a sentimental endorsement. It seems deep and well thought out. What Brambaifa said in effect was that neither the candidate of the PDP, Dickson, nor the former governor and APC aspirant, Timpre Sylva, is favoured for the office by the people.

The former senator expressed delight that though Alaibe joined the APC last month, he has equal right as others to contest for the office of the governor because “APC guidelines do not stop anybody who is a member of the party from contesting an election”. He added: “Even if you joined yesterday, you have the same right to contest the election as somebody who joined two years ago.” What he did not say was that even those who joined late are free to apply to the party leadership for a waiver.

Journalists were specific in finding out if Alaibe has what it takes to make a difference in a state where almost every occupant of the office of governor, except Goodluck Jonathan, has always left under controversial and or questionable circumstances. For instance, Diepreye Solomon Peter Alamieyeseigha was impeached in his second term. Sylva was not allowed by his party to seek  re-election and was immediately summoned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) after being forced out of office. If the punditry by Bayelsa political authorities is anything to go by, the incumbent may as well be on his way out. However, that’s one verdict only the voters can announce; on December 5.

The political chieftain from Bayelsa  came short of boasting that his candidate is the best governorship material in the December poll. He explained, “Don’t forget that Alaibe has a track record of achievements when he was in the NDDC (Niger Delta Development Commission). At that time, he managed nine states. I don’t think one state will be a problem for him. So, we are confident that he stands the best chance to pick the APC ticket and win the election scheduled for December 5.”

Politicians are the best optimists you can think of. They have roaring ways of talking with such assurance and certainty that you are bound to believe them. Sometimes they get it right. At other times, the prophecy hits the rocks; and they blame it on luck or the lack of it. I recall a story Ibrahim Mantu, a former Deputy President of the Senate, told me some time ago. I was trying to tickle his mind on the controversial June 12, 1993 presidential election. I knew pretty well that he was a member of the National Republican Convention and a close associate of the presidential candidate of that party.

I asked him: “When it was clear that the Social Democratic Party was heading for victory in that election, how did you feel; and what was the atmosphere within the NRC camp?” He smiled and replied: “You won’t understand the minds of politicians until you are involved in politics”. He recalled that while they were still arguing over the result, one group was already writing a letter of congratulations to Moshood Abiola while the generality of opinion was for NRC to immediately start planning for the next election by looking into what went wrong with that of 1993. Meanwhile, a winner was yet to be declared and sworn-in; at the same, the other party was planning for the next election.

Perhaps, Brambaifa’s confidence in Alaibe’s victory at the polls is not misplaced. It is possible he knows something about politics; particularly Bayelsa politics, that makes him beat his chest in anticipatory victory even before the contest begins. If politics were like football, it probably would be easier to predict since it is the quality of players in a squad that determines the outcome.

It was equally thrilling to hear the aspirant talk in upbeat tone when he eventually went to party’s office to submit his nomination  and expression of interest forms. Media reports quoted him as  justifying the reasons for his entry into the race despite past frustrations in the hands of chieftains of his previous political platform, the PDP. He told journalists: “I came here today to submit my Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms. We the Bayelsa people are tired of accidental leadership, we are tired of lack of vision leadership and you know that I come with a lot of sustainable development experience; I come with goodwill, network, integrity and reputation to change the course of leadership in our state.”

Alaibe disclosed that Bayelsa as a major oil producing state in Nigeria has not been able to see structured development in the areas of economic, infrastructure even environmental development. He stated his mission: “We want to ensure that Bayelsa becomes that ultimate destination in the Niger Delta; that is the simple thing we want to do. It looks simple but other former leaders have been challenged with it and it is still not resolved. So the credible person you see here is calling for such change. Our grassroots people are calling for change not just for the sake of it but to see change in their life. Welfare of our people is critical; our educational system has collapsed and we want to make that change happen.”

When a reporter asked him how he intends to handle the issue of poor terrain Bayelsa  which has been a constant excuse by the sitting governor for non-development of the state, Alaibe said there is leadership and there is leadership with vision: “I told you that I come with experience. I have built roads and schools in Bayelsa State, I have reclaimed shores .There is no terrain challenge that cannot be resolved. Talk about Netherland sitting on water and you can see infrastructure development. If you do not know what to do, let us not use the excuse of terrain. How does the excuse of terrain make you not to resolve the drainage problem in Yenagoa town? How does the excuse of terrain make you not to clear refuse?”

APC chairman, John Oyegun receiving former NDDC chairman Timi Alaibe and others into the APC in Yenagoa.

Alaibe informed the reporters that his decision to step out again after all the frustrations of the past is because he possesses comparatively superior leadership qualities than all other aspirants. He said: “We are discussing leadership with vision and leadership that gives direction; leadership that knows the critical need for infrastructure development and empowerment. We are talking about leadership that connects people.    That is what is absent and that is what we want to fix.”

As the APC delegates troop out to vote on Tuesday to pick a candidate to confront Dickson, the above statements must resonate  in their heads. They must be guided by sound reasoning rather than sentiments. They must know that Bayelsa  is not beyond redemption. They must interpret the unease  in the PDP camp correctly. It must be understood that PDP wants Alaibe out of the race so that APC will lose the bid for the governorship seat. It is clear to the PDP that with Alaibe in the race, APC will form the next government in Bayelsa. This is a fact; and even PDP knows it.

• Kalio, a journalist, sent in this piece from Bayelsa State.