Bayelsa PDP Slams Governor Diri Over Rising Poverty

The Bayelsa State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has urged Governor Douye Diri to prioritise tackling rising hunger and poverty in the second half of 2026, saying worsening economic hardship has left many residents struggling to meet basic needs. The opposition party, in a statement on Friday by its Publicity Secretary, Ikaebimo Mark, said the cost of living had continued to rise while the purchasing power of many Bayelsans had declined despite increased revenue accruing to the state through higher derivation receipts and federal allocations. According to the PDP, hunger cuts across political, religious and ethnic divides and should be treated as a priority by any responsible government. The party also expressed disappointment that several memoranda of understanding announced by the state government had yet to translate into investments capable of creating jobs and driving industrial growth. It urged the government to implement programmes that would stimulate economic activities, support small and medium-sized enterprises, empower youths and women, and improve living standards. And the PDP, in a strong-worded statement, called on the government to refocus its policies and programmes to become genuinely people-centred. The party also promised to support every genuine effort aimed at addressing the current hardship, hunger, and poverty confronting Bayelsans, saying it was willing to contribute robust and constructive policy ideas and practical solutions.

But the Bayelsa State Government has rejected the allegations, saying the Diri administration had consistently implemented programmes targeted at reducing poverty and improving residents’ welfare. Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Strategy, Mrs Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, described the opposition’s claims as misleading, saying the government had made significant investments in infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture and youth empowerment over the past six years. She cited projects including the Nembe-Brass Road, the second phase of Glory Drive, the new state secretariat complex, as well as road and bridge projects across the state, saying they had improved connectivity and created economic opportunities. She added that the administration had implemented skills acquisition programmes, grants for small businesses, scholarships and employment initiatives for youths and women. And Governor Diri’s administration, through its spokesperson, has maintained that it has made significant progress in addressing the economic challenges in the state. But the question remains: will the government continue to ignore the rising poverty in the state?

The Bayelsa State Government has consistently maintained that it has been implementing programmes aimed at reducing poverty and improving residents’ welfare, but critics say it's not enough. And some have called for the government to do more to address the rising poverty in the state. The state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has been critical of Governor Diri's administration over the issue of poverty. But a spokesperson for the Bayelsa State Government has described the opposition’s claims as misleading.

“The time has come for the administration to refocus its policies and programmes to become genuinely people-centred,”

the PDP said in a statement.

“The party is willing to contribute robust and constructive policy ideas and practical solutions in the overriding interest of the state.”

The PDP has urged the government to develop stronger institutions, invest in industries with high employment potential and implement a comprehensive wealth creation and job generation strategy. It further called on the government to implement programmes that would stimulate economic activities, support small and medium-sized enterprises, empower youths and women, and improve living standards.

The Bayelsa State Government has consistently maintained that it has been working to address the economic challenges in the state. It has also cited several projects that it claims have improved connectivity and created economic opportunities in the state.

The Bayelsa State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has expressed disappointment that several memoranda of understanding announced by the state government had yet to translate into investments capable of creating jobs and driving industrial growth. And some have called for the government to do more to address the rising poverty in the state.

According to a spokesperson for the Bayelsa State Government, the government has been working to address the economic challenges in the state through various programmes. And the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has been critical of Governor Diri's administration over the issue of poverty.

As a result of the economic challenges, hunger has become a major issue in the state, cutting across political, religious and ethnic divides. But the question remains: will the government continue to ignore the rising poverty in the state?

The Bayelsa State Government has consistently maintained that it has been working to address the economic challenges in the state through various programmes. This is not the first time the PDP has criticized Governor Diri's administration over the issue of poverty. And some have called for the government to do more to address the rising poverty in the state.

The state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has urged Governor Diri's administration to implement programmes that would stimulate economic activities, support small and medium-sized enterprises, empower youths and women, and improve living standards. But the Bayelsa State Government has rejected the allegations, saying the opposition’s claims are misleading.

The PDP has expressed disappointment that several memoranda of understanding announced by the state government had yet to translate into investments capable of creating jobs and driving industrial growth. And Governor Diri's administration, through its spokesperson, has maintained that it has made significant progress in addressing the economic challenges in the state. But the question remains: will the government continue to ignore the rising poverty in the state?