By Philip Eke, Yenagoa
The great Sagbama born politician in Bayelsa State, Evangelist (Hon.)Foster Ogola, Former Chairman Bayelsa State Scholarship Board, who has created a niche for himself in educational, political development and the social circle in Bayelsa State and Nigeria at large, is undoubtedly undisputable, who was recently elected into the senate representing Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal constituency. The first timer of the senate, with immense legislative exposure under the auspices of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
While fielding questions from newsmen soon after the election that culminated his overwhelmingly victory at the poll said, erosion, reclamation and canalization menace in Sagbama and in his domain
propelled him to delve into politics, during the NPN regime, Evangelist Ogola, a great farmer, and also the chairman of All Association of farmers in the South/South Board, who was appointed into several functional management project committees that was in then Rivers State who served as secretary of government project committee, among others, said the zeal to manage and develop his people was his top most concern not the acquisition of wealth made him to develop great interest in politics.
The senator-elect, who was a very active member of the constituent Assembly that made several reformations in the country noted that, the country is developing maturely in political democratization, urging African countries to emulate the Nigeria example, perhaps of several reformations made by the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (GCFR)
The senator-elect. Also briefing the press, rated the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) very high, stressing that INEC is an organ of the Federal Government that also covers the Local, the States and the Federation, in conducting credible free and fair elections in the country.
In the issue of the application of the card reader, Ogola noted that INEC would have test – run the card readers in other elections before deploying it in presidential election, faulty programming of the machines, like the president’s finger print was not captured in several times, also his wife, the first lady, Mrs. Dame Patience Jonathan, you know, in some parts of Bayelsa State, there is no GSM network and likewise in other parts of Nigeria, especially in the remote areas, “from analogue to digital is not easy” the technical knowledge of the application of the card reader is another serious issues faced by INEC. How many persons are information communication Technology compliance? Acquisition of the educational knowledge is one thing, and the application is another thing.
Ogola, unreservedly recommends the deployment of card readers in future elections, as it compel the electorate (Nigerians) to come out to vote or participate in the electoral process “I know INEC have learned their mistakes, so many areas will be corrected in conducting future elections in Nigeria.
While Ogola appreciates the electorate from his constituency in Bayelsa west senatorial district, who came out en-masse to vote him into victory despites the hurdles of the card reader challenges and waiting patiently during the intense sun and tension to cast their votes, even the Nigerian electorate that conducted peacefully and maturely should be lauded, Ogola stressed.
President Jonathan patriotism and statesmanship, Ogola described president Ebele Jonathan as a world leader, who has kept his word on free, fair elections, who also admit defeat at the just concluded presidential elections, Ogola equally thanked the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) that supported him, recalling that PDP have established a legacy of democratic freedom, transparency, economic growth, social transformation among others that are so salient.
Finally, appreciating the security services for their role, in ensuring that the elections were mostly peaceful and violence-free, above all, thanked the Almighty God for his victory at the poll, while pledging to initiate peoples’ oriented bills and motions to better the lives of the electorate.
