Group protests exclusion of Bayelsa from Ambassadorial nomination

A group of Concerned Bayelsa Indigenes on Monday protested against the exclusion of Bayelsa from the list of ambassadorial nominees forwarded to the National Assembly by the Presidency for confirmation.

The leader of the group, Mr Bodi Arerebo, told newsmen during the protest in Abuja that the exclusion of Bayelsa from the list was unfair.

He said it was improper for the state, which had contributed to the growth of the economy to be excluded from such a list.

Arerebo, an All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain in Bayelsa, said many Bayelsa people voted for President Muhammadu Buhari, adding that their exclusion from appointments was discriminating.

“While we appreciate his effort at cleaning up Ogoni land, the president should do more by giving us what is due to us, whenever the need arises.

“Permanent secretaries were appointed from each state of the federation, Bayelsa was excluded; now, the state is excluded from the current list of career ambassadorial nominees.

“While some states are represented with two or three candidates, Bayelsa has none. The president should please include Bayelsa people in the scheme of things in the country.

“The President of the Senate is kindly requested to appeal to Buhari to consider Bayelsa people.’’

He said if nothing was done to consider the request of the group by the National Assembly, it would proceed to the State House to lay the grievances of the people.

He called on Buhari to do everything within his power to ameliorate the sufferings of Nigerians.

The president, on June 9 sent a list of 47 ambassadorial nominees to the National Assembly for screening and confirmation.

The list is made up of only career civil servants in the Foreign Service.