A former chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in Bayelsa State and two-time member of the House of Representatives, Fred Agbedi may have decided to take a shot at the Baylesa State Government House, writes Segun James
In politics, fame appears in myriad forms. Over the airwaves and the news stands, on the playing field, by dint of hard work and ability or by reputation; very ambitious politician tells tales of what they will do and how they will transform their state into an Eldorado in four years.
The Bayelsa governorship race has begun as politicians position themselves and realign their interests. What have those jostling for the job to offer to the state that is reputed to be the least developed in the south, yet the resource from the bowels of its land sustains the nation?
In period of political stress, all sorts of theories are entertained about the nature of problems besetting the country or state and how to tackle and solve them; but when better times return, these theories simply fade away from memory and they return back to the status quo.
However, some politicians who have mastered the art of governance are careful about this. They realise that both the good and the bad times never last forever, but a careful planning and management of resources help at critical times.
Such politicians are guided by facts, reality and crunchy scrutiny of questions and answers they give. For example: what is your economic plan for the state, what is your developmental goal for infrastructure, education and the economy, will a project deliver reasonable return on capital invested?
One of such politicians is Frederick Agbedi the member representing Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency of Bayelsa state in the House of Representatives. A realist who believes that political leadership goes beyond rhetoric and noise and unfulfilled promises.
In planning for the future, politicians dare not look beyond the next election, lest they dash their feet to a stone, and lose power before the future comes. Since continuity is one critical ingredient that is missing in the nation’s political system, how do you ensure this?
Agbedi believes that in the ever-changing world of politics, only change is constant. Hence the need for Bayelsa state to look beyond oil revenue as the days of easy money are over.
To him, even though the oil that comes from the state is the mainstay of the national economy, the state has been left holding the short end of the stick in terms of development. He applauds Governor Seriake Dickson for his efforts to open up the deep riverine areas to communities on the fringe of the Atlantic Ocean.
To him, such ambitious programme must be consolidated upon before the oil dries out or ceases to be of any relevance in the world. Continuity on the work of Dickson is what Agbedi offers.
Agbedi is not new to the politics of Bayelsa state. He was until elected member of the House of Representatives, the special adviser to Dickson on political matters. He was also the director general of the governor’s successful election campaigns both in 2012 and 2015. Today, the kingmaker is angling to be the king.
Agbedi was born on February 20, 1960 in the riverine community of Aghoro Town in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa state.
He had his early education at State School, Aghoro, later at Oporoza Grammar School, Patani and proceeded to College of Education, Warri where he bagged the Nigeria Certificate in Education in English and History.
Agbedi also attended the University of Port Harcourt and University of Abuja where he graduated with B.A (Education) English and Masters in Public Administration respectively.
He has been a teacher, a profession at which he excelled and as a civil servant. He was confidential secretary to the Secretary, Local Teaching Service Committee, a pay officer and member of the Ad hoc Committee on Verification of Primary/Post Primary School Teachers. He was also at a time the Confidential Secretary to the Military Panel on Screening and Verification of staff of Burutu LGA, Delta State in the mid eighties.
Agbedi left the civil service and ventured into business and politics where he became local government secretary, National Republican Convention (NRC) Ekeremor, 1992-1993.
He was elected as one of the youngest members of the National Assembly to represent Ekeremor Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives from 1992-1993.
While there, he served as member, Public Accounts and Sports and Youth Development Committees, House of Representatives.
Agbedi joined the United Nigeria Congress Party (UNCP) and was a member of that party’s House of Assembly aspirants’ screening committee in Bayelsa State as well as contested for Bayelsa-West Senatorial District primary of the Party and ended first runner-up in 1998.
He later joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the ward level; Ekeremor Ward Eleven (11), served as Special Assistant to the Chairman, 2001 PDP Computerized Membership Registration Committee, Bayelsa State, member and secretary of the PDP National Committee on Supervising, Monitoring and Conduct of Congresses/Convention 2001in Abia State, aspirant Bayelsa West Senatorial primary in 2002, member Transitional Committee on Handover of Power in Government of Bayelsa State, 2007 and later state chairman Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from 2005-February 2008.
Agbedi has held several appointments including Senior Legislative aide to the President of the Senate, Campaign Director-General, Restoration 2012 “Dickson for Governorâ€, Special Adviser to the Bayelsa State Governor on Political Matters and Campaign Director “Dickson for Governor 2016†.
He has also received numerous recognitions including “Face of Bayelsa in the National Assembly†by Bayelsa Media Awards (BMA). Among other things, Agbedi likes playing table-tennis, volley-ball, reading, swimming and travelling.
As the race for the Creek Haven Government House hots up only the toughs can get going and with the looks of things, Fred Agbedi is one of such people
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What have those jostling for the job to offer to the state that is reputed to be the least developed in the south, yet the resource from the bowels of its land sustains the nation?
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Agbedi believes that in the ever-changing world of politics, only change is constant
