Constituents, mainly students, from the Bayelsa East Senatorial
District, have threatened to recall the Senator representing them in the
National Assembly, Mr. Ben Bruce.
The aggrieved constituents accused the “common sense” senator of
neglecting them and having no plans for his constituency, which
comprises Nembe, Brass and Ogbia local government areas, Bayelsa State.
Leaders of student bodies for the three local governments made their grievances known yesterday in a statement.
The statement was signed by Samuel Tari (Nembe), Ambrose Joseph (Brass) and Mark John (Ogbia).
They lamented that the senator was not in good relationship with his
people and had continued to shy away from his constitutional
responsibilities.
Besides, they said since he was elected, Bruce had not visited his people.
They said: “Since Bruce became a senator, he has failed to look into
the basic needs and challenges currently bedeviling the East Senatorial
District, such as education, as most of our students cannot access good
quality education.
“He has failed to attract a single project to the district in terms
of infrastructures, roads and others. He has continuously and
deliberately ignored efforts by the people to create a working
relationship that will bring out purposeful leadership for our people.
“He is yet to fulfil any of his campaign promises; painfully, he is
an Abuja-based senator. He refuses to visit his constituency, except
only once when he visited his hometown and couldn’t even stay for up to
four hours.
“Sincerely, we are tired, other places are enjoying the benefits that
come from having a national representative. Our case has been a curse
rather than a blessing. We are just like a district without a senator.
This is why we are intended to change that narrative”.
The student leaders gave the senator a 10-day ultimatum, to amend his ways or face consistent protest and the recall process.
“We are, hereby, giving him an ultimatum of 10 days, starting from
21st August. If he fails to meet with us, we shall take our protest to
the National Assembly.
“We will mobilise all the students, our mothers and our fathers. We
will initiate his recall process. Our people deserve a better treatment
from him. We request to have a town hall meeting,” they said.