The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has accused the Federal Government led by President Bola Tinubu of marginalising Bayelsa State, citing concerns over the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project and the state’s exclusion from the President’s campaign itinerary ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The party argued that Bayelsa, as a major contributor to Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, deserved equitable treatment in federal infrastructure development and political engagement.
The Bayelsa State Publicity Secretary of the NDC, Prince Mac-Eke, made the allegations while speaking to journalists at the party’s secretariat in Biobolo, Yenagoa.
Mac-Eke described Bayelsa as a strategic state in Nigeria’s economic development, insisting that its contributions to the national economy should be matched by infrastructure projects and other developmental benefits.
He said concerns surrounding the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project had raised questions about the level of attention being given to the state by the Federal Government.
“One of the issues raising concern among the people of the state is the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project. The Federal Government has failed to give Bayelsa the attention it deserves,” Mac-Eke said.
He also criticised Bayelsa’s exclusion from Tinubu’s campaign itinerary ahead of the 2027 elections, describing it as another indication of what the party considers the administration’s disregard for the state.
“To us in the NDC, we are happy he is not campaigning in the state because it gives us ample time to tell our supporters the reasons they should vote for our candidates, who are more credible, qualified, transparent and devoted to fighting corruption,” he said.
The NDC spokesman expressed confidence that the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, would attract considerable support in Bayelsa State.
He added that the party had established grassroots structures to mobilise voters and strengthen its presence ahead of the polls.
Mac-Eke urged residents to reject vote-buying and assess candidates based on their credibility, track records, competence and policy proposals.
He maintained that the NDC would rely on grassroots mobilisation and direct engagement with voters to persuade Bayelsa residents to support its candidates in the 2027 general elections.
