Ahead of the 11th, March Governorship and House of Assembly elections, the people of Epie-Atissa Kingdom have resolved to vote enmass for the victory of Barr. Ekieboye Monovie Figilo to represent them in the Bayelsa State House of Assembly.
The people of Epie-Atissa made the position known when the campaign train of Barr. Ekieboye Monovie Figilo, the Assembly candidate contesting under the platform of the Social Democratic party, SDP to represent Yenagoa Constituency I in the Bayelsa Assembly visited communities in ward 4 and 5 in Yenagoa LGA of the state.
At Edepie, Etegwe, Okutukutu and Opolo communities visited, the youths, women, elders, and paramount rulers all eulogized the leadership qualities of Barr. Figilo as an accessible, focused intelligent and one who listens to the voices of the people.
They noted that the era of voting for party is no longer attainable, adding that they have resolved to vote for candidates who can deliver the dividends of democracy to the people and promised to vote massively for the Assembly hopeful.
His Royal Highness, Chief Akintola Franklin, Paramount Ruler of Okutukutu Community and Chief Bonas Wumbo said the people of Epie-Atissa needs someone who has what it takes to effectively represent them in the Assembly which they found in Barr. Figilo as a lawyer and a passionate young man.
At Biogbolo Community, the Paramount Ruler, Chief Frank Amos while addressing the mammoth crowd prayed for the victory of the SDP candidate, urging the candidate not to forget the community in terms of projects and appointment of sons and daughters in positions trust if eventually emerged victorious.
In an interview with newsmen, Barr. Figilo said he decided to contest for the Assembly seat to address the plight of the people through robust and effective lawmaking and lobbying as well as attract developmental progress to the constituent.
He stated that communities within his constituent will be regularly consulted in the planning, design, implementation and execution of Constituency projects, adding that education and human empowerment will form the main focus of his policies.
He lamented that the constituent has lagged behind in terms of development as result of representatives who are not selected by the people but rather are handpicked by few individuals without consulting the electorate.
Figilo who pledged to be responsibility, fair, open, accessible, and commitment to social justice and empowerment, said “My aim for contesting for the seat is solely based on improving the people’s welfare, unity and bringing about social justice. I strongly believe that this will bring about improvement in the standard of living and general wellbeing of the people of Ogbia constituency II.”
” In all, I promise not to let the people who gave me their mandate down. The whole essence of Power is to secure the social welfare of the people. So, for me the wellbeing of my people is paramount. If the Almighty God and you enable me step forward into office is just for one reason to protect the poor, the helpless and the defenseless. I understand common people and I stand for the common people.
He however admonished voters not to stay aloof but cast their votes for him and desist from selling their votes in exchange of financial inducement ahead of the upcoming elections, ”A voter who receives gratification of any kind to cast a vote has not only kept himself or herself below the poverty line but has made it impossible to hold his or her representative accountable”.