A development economist, Mr Eluan Pedrick, has called for a minimum of three uninterrupted terms for the next lawmaker to represent Ogbia Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.
Pedrick said the move would ensure continuity and drive real development in Ogbia Kingdom, Bayelsa State.
He made the call while featuring on the Unfiltered Podcast in Yenagoa, where he assessed the political culture and development challenges of the constituency.
The economist specifically urged stakeholders to support the All Progressives Congress candidate for the seat in the 2027 election, Jude Ogbuku, Esq., to serve for three terms for optimal performance.
According to him, the Ogbia one-term rotational arrangement has not delivered the expected development since 1999.
Pedrick said, “The culture should be assessed based on its impact on infrastructure, economic opportunities, employment and other critical development needs of our people.
“Political representation should be measured by tangible achievements, ability to attract projects, influence national policies and implement programmes that improve welfare, not reliefs.”
He argued that prioritising rotation among clans after every single term over effective leadership was a fundamental flaw that produces political Lilliputians instead of political giants.
He said legislative work requires time, experience, strategic engagement and sustained commitment, which frequent changes make impossible.
“While rotational arrangement may have been introduced to promote fairness and inclusion, it should not take prominence over the development demands of the people,” he added.
Pedrick urged the people of Ogbia to look beyond clan sentiments and reappraise the policy, insisting that the long-term development interest of the kingdom should guide political choices.
