OTUAN-COMMUNITY-ENDORSES-DR.-TOKPO-CORONATION-FOR-STATE-ASSEMBLY,-ADVOCATES-FOR EQUITY-AND-INCLUSIVENESS-UNDER-GOVERNOR-DIRI’S-LEADERSHIP

OTUAN COMMUNITY ENDORSES DR. TOKPO CORONATION FOR STATE ASSEMBLY, ADVOCATES FOR EQUITY AND INCLUSIVENESS UNDER GOVERNOR DIRI’S LEADERSHIP

Wisdom Tide News | April 30, 2026

​The Otuan Federated Communities in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area have formally declared their unanimous support for Dr. Tokpo Coronation Edward as their sole candidate for the Southern Ijaw Constituency 1 seat in the Bayelsa State House of Assembly. This significant resolution was reached during a joint stakeholders meeting involving political leaders and community executives, coinciding with the ongoing screening and selection processes within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state. In a formal statement signed by the Paramount Ruler, His Royal Highness, Engr. Christopher Nana-Okoto (Akama the Sixth), the community urged Governor Douye Diri to uphold the principles of fairness and ensure that the people of Otuan are granted a genuine sense of belonging within the political landscape of the constituency.

​The endorsement of Dr. Tokpo Coronation, an Associate Professor of Political Science at the Federal University, Otuoke, is rooted in the community’s belief in his exceptional character and professional qualifications. CDC Chairman Moses Wilson and Youth President Comrade Daniel Lucky Koriekiye emphasized that Dr. Tokpo possesses the requisite intellectual and moral capacity to provide high-quality representation for the constituency. The leadership highlighted a historical imbalance in political representation, noting that since the return to democratic rule in 1999, all five representatives for Southern Ijaw Constituency 1 have hailed exclusively from Amassoma. This list includes the late Hon. Mrs. Vivien Ere (1999–2003), Hon. Stephen Erebo (2003–2007), Hon. Kuroakegha Dorgu (2007–2015), Hon. Mrs. Kate Owoko (2015–2019), and the incumbent, Hon. Felix Bonny Ayah (2019–2027).

​The Otuan community leaders argued that this 27-year trend of exclusion contradicts the fundamental democratic ideals of justice and equity. They pointed out that despite Otuan’s significant electoral contributions—boasting a full ward and 24 polling units—the community has remained marginalized regarding the Assembly seat. In their appeal to Governor Douye Diri, the leaders requested a shift in this precedent for the 2027 elections to foster inclusivity. Furthermore, they extended their advocacy to the national level, appealing for the Governor to support a second term for the incumbent Southern Ijaw Federal Constituency Representative, Engr. Rodney Ambaiowei, to ensure continuity and fair play across the region.

​The stakeholders concluded by expressing their profound gratitude to Governor Douye Diri for his administration’s commitment to infrastructure development within their domain. They specifically cited the recently commissioned 360-meter bridge and the road networks connecting Oporoma and Otuan as transformative projects that have positively impacted the lives of their people. Reaffirming their unwavering support for the "ASSURED Prosperity" administration, the leaders stated that the Governor’s benevolent leadership and developmental strides have left an indelible mark on the hearts of the Otuan people, strengthening their resolve to seek equitable representation under his guidance.