IN PRAISE OF COMPETENCE
Solomon Agwana, PDP State chairman in Bayelsa, is doing exceedingly well, writes Obakimo Desire
Competency can be both innate and developed through learning and experience. Some individuals may have certain inherent traits or abilities that contribute to their competency in certain areas. Whether innate or developed, it is one quality that finds vivid expression and more so in matters that affects the general populace.
Well, competence is surely one word that can be used to describe the current state Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bayelsa State, Chief Solomon Agwana fondly hailed as “Chemical Ali” by party faithful and the vast majority of Bayelsans. His impact and the level of competence he has displayed in handling the affairs of the PDP in the state is quite remarkable.
Having taken the helm of affairs of the state chapter of the party that was in a shambles, the way he has managed to put the house in order, cleaned up the mess to a large extent, and then reposition the party well enough to return to its state of being the undisputed political authority in Bayelsa State, many would agree he deserves some good accolades. Often the case, state party chairmen are the unsung heroes of a stable and prosperous party at that levels. His successes in a relative short time aren’t a fluke, it screams nothing short of true competence.
However, same thing cannot be said of his predecessor. A personality laden with controversy, Moses Cleopas had a difficult time as Chairman, to put it kindly. His tenure saw a mass defection of dissatisfied members to the opposition party, strengthening it enough to mount a challenge and claimed a good number of National Assembly and House of Assembly seats for the first time in the history of the state. Cleopas during his time as chairman displayed a tremendous level of ineptitude that cost the PDP heavily in Bayelsa State including losing the governorship seat initially, save for a somewhat miraculous turn around of events that rightfully brought the now two-term Governor Duoye Diri.
Being on the verge of losing the apex seat of leadership in the state was expected when as then chairman it was clear he never wanted Douye Diri as the party gubernatorial candidate. Even when fate prevailed and Diri emerged, he further displayed his incapacity in not being able to deliver traditional strongholds of the party during the elections, including his own Koluama clan. As bad as that, he still couldn’t harmonise the party during the gubernatorial election cycle in Bayelsa State. All this begs so many to question the value he brings to the table.
Looking retrospectively at the events that played out during the Bayelsa PDP primaries and elections that eventually brought in Governor Diri for his first term as Governor, one can relate to the recent squabbles and unrest fermented in the state. Yes Cleopas had a personal right to pitch his tent behind a candidate then during the primaries but having lost that battle it is only logical for a state party chairman to further the course of the eventual winner for the good of the party. But that wasn’t really the case. Senator Cleopas was poor at handling party issues and disputes, but instead fanned the flames of internal squabbles. Chief Agwana thankfully has done well to harness and maintain the synergy between the party members, leadership and the Diri- led administration. These efforts have ensured that the party reclaimed almost all the lost National Assembly and State Assembly seats. Internal crisis in the party seems to be a thing of the past, defection of members is old news and clearly he looks to forge a pathway to a profitable and domineering future for Bayelsa PDP.
Today, the Bayelsa State PDP has taken its rightful place as the political authority in the state. Some aggrieved members who had earlier decamped have returned, there is synergy with the current administration, lost political seats have been reclaimed, members are feeling inspired to attain greater heights, there is generally a feel- good atmosphere in Bayelsa PDP. All this is testament to the work done and remarkable transformation in the fortunes of the party overseen by Chief Solomon Agwana. He deserves all the accolades he is getting.
Desire writes from Apiawari compound, Biseni, Yenagoa
