Senator Ben Bruce
The ‘common sense Senator’ Ben Murray Bruce, was the butt
of snide remarks on Twitter Monday after he announced his withdrawal
from the race to seek a second term as the senator representing Bayelsa
east in the 2019 election.
According to Cable, Bruce made this known in a letter he wrote to
the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Monday, the eve of the senatorial
primary election of PDP in the state.
Bruce attributed his withdrawal from the race to the need to allow
someone else from the constituency fly the banner of the PDP in 2019.
“I thank God and the good people of Brass, Bayelsa East
Senatorial District who offered me the golden opportunity four years ago
to represent them and the state in the Senate, Nigeria’s highest
lawmaking chamber,” the letter read.
“It is without doubt that I have tried to discharge my duties
as a legislator and representative of my people creditably to the best
of my ability so far.
“My voice has been very loud on the issues that matter to our
people and our country at all time. My support to our party, my people
and state government is unquestionable. I am humbled that the national
leadership of my party supported by the State chapter in appreciation of
my efforts offered to support my reelection to the senate to continue
my service.
“I have also intensified consultations in the last couple of
week in the course of which I have come to realize an existing local
rotational arrangement of over 20 years beginning with the late Great
Chief Melford Okilo, by which arrangement the Senatorial seat rotates
per local government area among the three councils for four years in the
Senatorial District.
“Even with the support of my party at the National and state
levels with the full backing of my state government and leadership, as a
man of honour interested in the well-being of my people, I hereby
announce my withdrawal from the Senatorial race.
“I do not want whatever reason to appear to have used my
privileged position and influence to do anything other than the
well-being and the stability and the good of the people. I am in all of
these for the people, not for myself.”
Bruce expressed gratitude to all those who have contributed to his career as a lawmaker.
He also thanked his constituents for giving him the opportunity to serve.
“Once again, I thank the former President, Dr. Goodluck Ebelo
Jonathan, the National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, my colleagues in
the Senate and Governor of Bayelsa State, the Honourable Henry Seriake
Dickson for their support and encouragement,” he said.
“I also thank the leadership of my Senatorial District and state, for being there for me.
“I thank specially the people of my constituency for their
trust and confidence in me to serve and represent them in the Senate. By
trusting me with this mandate, I have come to know them and our people
even better, an experience I will never forget for the rest of my life.
“I am indeed grateful to my darling wife, my children, and
other members of my family for their support and prayers. I appreciate
the efforts of my hardworking campaign staff for their support and
dedication.
“Again, I thank the leadership of the party for their
continuing support. I also assured the party of my availability and
readiness to serve at any capacity when the opportunity comes.”
His withdrawal provoked some taunts on Twitter. Here are some:
