PDP to Diri: Stop Defending Government, Start Tackling Hunger, Unemployment Crisis in Bayelsa

 

...Says Infrastructure Alone Cannot Feed Bayelsans

Yenagoa, Bayelsa State – The war of words between the Bayelsa State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the administration of Governor Douye Diri has deepened, with the opposition party accusing the state government of evading critical questions on hunger, poverty, unemployment and economic management.

The latest exchange follows a series of statements issued by the PDP in recent days, urging the Bayelsa State Government to make the fight against hunger and poverty its foremost priority in the second half of 2026. The party had argued that despite increased revenues accruing to the state, many residents continue to grapple with rising living costs, unemployment and declining purchasing power.

The Bayelsa State Government, through the Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, Mrs. Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, responded by highlighting the administration's infrastructure projects and reportedly attributing prevailing economic hardship largely to the policies of the Federal Government.

Unsatisfied with the response, the PDP issued another statement insisting that "infrastructure without food on the table and money in the pocket cannot defeat hunger," while urging the government to articulate a comprehensive economic recovery, wealth creation and employment generation strategy.

In its latest statement released on Monday and signed by the State Publicity Secretary, Hon. Ikaebimo Mark, the opposition party alleged that the government's subsequent rejoinder failed to address the substantive concerns earlier raised.

"Our concern has never been who issued a statement or which newspaper carried it. Our concern is, and remains, the deteriorating living conditions of Bayelsans," the PDP stated.

According to the party, the government's responses have focused more on "propaganda and manufactured controversies" than on explaining how it intends to address poverty, unemployment, declining purchasing power and what it described as the absence of a deliberate economic blueprint.

The PDP argued that after more than six years in office, the Diri administration owes Bayelsans explanations on why poverty, unemployment and business closures remain widespread despite what it described as unprecedented financial inflows into the state.

"They deserve to know why thousands of young people remain unemployed, why businesses are collapsing, why investments have failed to materialise, and why the average family today struggles to put food on the table," the statement said.

The party further claimed that Governor Diri's much-publicised Prosperity Agenda has not translated into tangible economic benefits for many residents.

"The people are now wiser because they judge governments not by slogans or publicity but by the realities they experience every day. Sadly, those realities are characterised by hunger, unemployment, hopelessness, and declining purchasing power," the PDP stated.

The opposition also criticised what it described as the administration's approach to governance, arguing that Bayelsa requires deliberate economic planning backed by competent policy implementation.

"Bayelsa cannot be governed through public relations, ceremonial project commissioning, and media narratives alone," the statement added.

Reaffirming its role as an opposition party, the PDP maintained that scrutinising government policies remains a constitutional and democratic responsibility rather than an act of hostility.

"We shall continue to speak for the ordinary trader, the struggling civil servant, the unemployed graduate, the neglected farmer, the artisan, and every Bayelsan whose voice deserves to be heard," the party said.

The PDP also dismissed suggestions that it is divided internally, insisting that there are no factions within its Bayelsa chapter.

According to the party, it remains "united, strong, vibrant, and the most formidable political platform in Bayelsa State," adding that it is strengthening its structures across the state's 105 wards and eight local government areas ahead of the forthcoming general elections.

"As we continue to strengthen our structures across the 105 wards and eight local government areas, the PDP remains firmly focused on its mission of reclaiming the mandate of the people and returning responsive, accountable, and people-oriented leadership to Creek Haven on February 14, 2028", the party noted.

The party further asserted that its recent electoral participation and historical record in producing governors demonstrate that it remains politically relevant in the state.

Concluding its statement, the PDP urged the Bayelsa State Government to devote greater attention to addressing economic hardship rather than responding to political criticism.

"The suffering of Bayelsans is too serious to be politicised. The government must stop arguing and start governing," the statement concluded.

The exchange marks the latest in an increasingly robust public debate between the Bayelsa PDP and the state government over economic management, governance and the welfare of citizens, with both sides defending their positions as public attention remains focused on the state's socio-economic challenges.