The constituents of Bayelsa East Senatorial District, which comprises Nembe, Brass and Ogbia local government areas, Bayelsa State, have threatened to begin a process of recalling the Senator representing them in the National Assembly, Ben Murray Bruce.
The aggrieved constituents, in a statement signed by leaders of the students’ bodies for the three local government areas, Samuel Tari (Nembe), Ambrose Joseph (Brass) and Mark John (Ogbia), accused the Senator of neglecting them and having no plans for his constituency.
They lamented that the ‘common sense’s senator was not in good relationship with his people accusing him of staying away from his constitutional responsibilities.
They claimed that since he was elected, Bruce only visited his people once and accused him of donating relief materials to people in other states when his own constituents were wallowing in poverty with many students unable to pay their fees.
“Since Bruce became a senator, he has failed to look into the basic needs and challenges currently bedeviling the East Senatorial Districts, such as issues of education, as most of our students cannot access good quality education,” the statement read.
“He has failed to attract a single project to the districts in terms of infrastructures, roads, and others. He has continuously and deliberately ignored efforts by the people to create a working relationship that will bring out purposeful leadership for our people.
“He is yet to fulfill any of his campaign promises; painfully, he is an Abuja-based senator. He refuses to visit his constituency, except only once when he visited his hometown and couldn’t even stay for up to four hours.
“Sincerely, we are tired; other places are enjoying the benefits that come from having a national representative. Our case has been a curse rather than a blessing. We are just like a district without a senator. This why we are intended to change that narrative.
“We are, hereby, giving him an ultimatum of 10 days, starting from 21st August. If he fails to meet with us, we shall take our protest to the National Assembly.
“We will mobilize all the students, our mothers, and our fathers. We will initiate his recall process. Our people deserve a better treatment from him. We request to have a town hall meeting.”