A Professor of Political Science at the Niger Delta University, Bayelsa State, Professor Ambily Etekpe, has charged civil servants in the State to use their position in government to correct the excesses of government.
Etekpe, who gave the charge, weekend, while speaking as Guest Lecturer at the Second Annual Lecture and Award Ceremonies in Yenagoa, organised by the Bayelsa State Chapter of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), said the civil servants form the gamut of all successive administrations.
In his lecture, titled, ‘’The Role of Civil Servants Towards the Advancement of the Democratic Process in Nigeria: the 2023 Bayelsa Guber Election in Perspective”, Etekpe charged civil servants to “checkmate the excesses of irresponsible governance through the exercise of their periodic franchise”.
He re-emphasised the need for accountability and trust on the part of the occupant of public offices, calling on Civil Servants to muster the courage to demand for good governance while exercising their suffrage in the forthcoming, November 11th, 2023 governorship polls in the state.
“The bane of our development and holding government accountable in Nigeria, as it were, are some of the provisions contained in the 1999 constitution (as amended) of this country.
“The Federal Government has given to itself alone well over 60 powers in what’s called the “exclusive legislative list” and has again empowered itself alongside the state to legislate on about 30 other areas called the “concurrent list”.
“So, if you put the two lists together, the Federal Government alone has given itself powers in about 100 sections of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“So, that’s why some of us were advocating for political and economic restructuring of this country to reduce the powers of the national government and devolve more to the states and citizens so that at least we can begin the processes of our development”, he said.
The guest lecturer, who also frowned at the cost of electioneering campaigns, in which serving public office holders, especially Governors or Presidents were bidding for a new tenure upon the completion of an exiting one, called for the amendment of the extant laws to outlaw second term.
He alleged that there was high spate of distraction and abysmal performance in some parts of the nation upon the election of incumbent public office holders for a fresh, new term.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the chairman of the occasion and Commissioner for Labour, Employment and Productivity, Hon. Stanley Braboke, stated that the theme of the 2023 annual lecture explores the roles all civil servants in the State are to play in ensuring the social, economic and political growth of the State and nation at large.
He restated that the theme clearly explains how civil servants can be actively involved in deciding the fate of the State during the 2023 Governorship polls, come November.
The Commissioner charged Civil Servants to exercise their franchise during the governorship polls, which, according to him, is in line with the Public Service rules of the federation, noting that their active participation in voting at the polls would determine to a certain level the candidate that can fast-track the development of the socio-economic and political fortunes of the state.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the State Chapter of the TUC, Comrade Julius Laye, highlighted the importance of the civil servants to the development of the state in particular and nation as a whole.
Laye said Civil syervants were the engine room of successive governments, hence the reason for the theme of the lecture, which, he said, was chosen to continually inform, enlighten and educate members of the TUC, and the entire public service sector of the onerous task of enthroning responsible and accountable leadership through the ballot in the forthcoming governorship polls.
Meanwhile, in his keynote address for the event, the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), Eng. Simbi Wabote, represented by the Deputy Manager, Capacity Building Division of the board, Eng. Mofe Megbele, commended the TUC for the invite extended to board.
He stated that with the fast approaching 2023 Bayelsa State governorship polls, the role of civil servants in ensuring accountability and responsible governance is of paramount importance, noting also that their contributions go beyond administrative functions.
Wabote restated that the roles of the civil servants encompasses the essence of the democratic principles, begining from electoral preparations through safeguarding the integrity of the public service.
“It is through their impartiality, diligence, and dedication that we can ensure a free and fair electoral process that is transparent, credible, and reflective of the will of the people of this State.
“I’d like to enjoin all Civil Servants in the state, and indeed everyone to work together for a peaceful and successful governorship election come November, 2023″, he said.
Highpoints of the event were the presentation of a “Distinguished Leadership award” to the Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, and presentation of various categories of similar awards to other deserving individuals and institutions.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells,
Yenagoa