BRM Accuses Diri Administration of Political Marginalisation, Demands Inclusion for Bayelsa East, Yenagoa

Group Says Brass, Nembe, Ogbia and Yenagoa Deserve Greater Representation in Key Political Positions

YENAGOA, BAYELSA STATE — The Bayelsa Rescue Mission (BRM) has called on Governor Douye Diri to urgently address what it described as the political marginalisation of Bayelsa East Senatorial District and significant sections of Yenagoa Local Government Area in key government appointments and political party positions.

The group said its demand was not for political patronage, but for fairness, equity, inclusion and a sense of belonging for all sections of Bayelsa State.

In a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Hon. Kalas Agai Nimitenbofa, on August 10, 2026, the BRM expressed concern over what it described as the concentration of critical political responsibilities in certain Senatorial Districts and Local Government Areas.

According to the group, Brass, Nembe and Ogbia Local Government Areas, which make up Bayelsa East Senatorial District, as well as communities and sections of Yenagoa Local Government Area, including Epie/Atissa, Okordia, Biseni, Zarama and Gbarain/Ekpetiama, have legitimate reasons to question their level of representation in the state’s strategic political structure.

The BRM argued that government should not be perceived as the preserve of any individual, family, political tendency or geographical bloc, stressing that every section of the state should have a meaningful voice in decisions affecting its future.

‘Bayelsa East Missing From Strategic Decision-Making’

The group particularly questioned what it described as the absence of representatives from Brass, Nembe, Ogbia and Yenagoa at what it considers the highest political consultation and decision-making level in the state.

The BRM noted that the Governor is from Kolokuma/Opokuma, the Deputy Governor from Sagbama, the Secretary to the State Government from Southern Ijaw, while other key political positions are also occupied by individuals from other Local Government Areas.

It argued that the present arrangement creates a perception of exclusion among communities that are not represented in the inner political structure of government.

The group warned that continued concentration of key appointments in particular areas could undermine public confidence in the principle of equal citizenship and fuel perceptions of political exclusion.

BRM Recalls Earlier Geographical Balance

The Bayelsa Rescue Mission also compared the current political arrangement with the composition of key government offices at the beginning of the Diri administration in 2020.

It recalled that the then Secretary to the State Government, Rt. Hon. Konbowei Benson, was from Southern Ijaw Local Government Area; the then Chief of Staff, Chief Benson Agadaga, was from Ogbia Local Government Area; the Deputy Chief of Staff was from Sagbama; the Principal Secretary was from Kolokuma/Opokuma; while the Political Adviser was also from Sagbama.

According to the BRM, the arrangement provided what it described as a reasonable measure of geographical balance and gave different sections of the state a sense of belonging.

The group said the situation changed following the resignation of the SSG and Chief of Staff to pursue their Senatorial ambitions.

It alleged that while the SSG position was subsequently filled by another appointee from Southern Ijaw, the Chief of Staff position previously occupied by an indigene of Ogbia was not returned to Bayelsa East.

The BRM further noted that when Dr. Peter Akpe was subsequently elevated from Chief of Staff to Deputy Governor, the Chief of Staff position was, according to the group, still not restored to Bayelsa East.

‘Where Is the Place of Bayelsa East?’

The group therefore posed questions about the current place of Bayelsa East and Yenagoa Local Government Area in the highest level of political decision-making in the state.

“Where is the place of Bayelsa East in the highest level of political decision-making in the state? Where is the place of Yenagoa Local Government Area? These are legitimate questions that the Governor must answer,” the BRM stated.

The organisation cautioned against any political arrangement that could create the perception that some citizens are regarded as “core” and others as “non-core” Bayelsans based on geography, language, political connections or proximity to power.

The BRM described such a situation as dangerous to the unity and collective identity of Bayelsans.

‘Their Economic Contributions Cannot Be Ignored’

The group also highlighted the economic and strategic importance of Brass, Nembe, Ogbia and Yenagoa, arguing that their contributions to the economic wellbeing, commerce, revenue generation and development of the state are too significant to be accompanied by what it described as political marginalisation.

It stressed that the people of Bayelsa East and Yenagoa are equal stakeholders in the state and have the same constitutional rights and capacity to contribute to governance as citizens from every other part of Bayelsa.

The BRM urged Governor Diri to review the existing political arrangement and take deliberate steps to promote greater geographical balance and inclusiveness in government and the leadership structure of the ruling political party.

“This is not about creating division. It is about preventing division,” the group said, stressing that its demand was not for every political position to be distributed according to a rigid formula, but for every part of the state to have a genuine sense of belonging and reasonable access to decision-making processes.

‘Every Bayelsan Deserves a Place at the Table’

The Bayelsa Rescue Mission said it would continue to advocate accountability, fairness and inclusion in the governance of the state.

It called on the governor to rise above partisan considerations and act in the broader interest of Bayelsa State, warning that perceptions of exclusion and inequality could weaken the bonds that unite the people.

“Every Bayelsan deserves a place at the table. Every community deserves a voice. And every part of Bayelsa deserves a government that works for it,” the group said.

The statement was signed by:

Hon. Kalas Agai Nimitenbofa
Publicity Secretary
Bayelsa Rescue Mission (BRM)