Bayelsa has been ranked the second poorest state in Nigeria.
The oil-rich state was ranked only above Sokoto among poorest states in the country.
The ranking is according to a Multidimensional Poverty Index of 2022 report of the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS.
The report published by data analytic company, Statisense, has since raised eyebrows from stakeholders ahead of the governorship election in the state.
The Labour Party’s candidate for the poll, Udengs Eradiri described the report as both disgraceful and disastrous.
Eradiri blamed Bayelsa’s poor rankings in all economic and developmental indices on the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and its gubernatorial; candidate, Governor Douye Diri.
The former Ijaw Youths Council President wondered why Governor Diri and the PDP were still campaigning for the November 11 election in the face of an obvious failure.
Eradiri said, “Why is Governor Douye Diri and the PDP still campaigning for a second term? Data technology company, StatiSense, recently unveiled the Multidimensional Poverty Index of 2022 report of the National Bureau of Statistics, NBS.
“That report exposed the number of people living in multidimensional poverty in the oil-rich Niger Delta states. That report is alarming, and distressing and goes to show the failure of the PDP leadership of Bayelsa since 1999. It shows that the PDP leadership and the current government of Douye Diri diverted and squandered all our commonwealth.
“Bayelsa has a red flag in all developmental indices. It will shock you to know that 2.61 million people out of the 2.9 million people are languishing in abject poverty. This is to say that 88 per cent of our population are extremely poor despite the humongous resources and revenue coming into this state.
“While Sokoto, a desert, occupies the first position, Bayelsa, an oil-rich state is coming second. What other proof do we need to know that the PDP has remained the whirlwind that will not blow this state and our people any good?
“What other evidence do we need as a people to know that this forthcoming election affords us, the people, an opportunity to kick out Diri and his party? They mean no good for our state and should be given a red card.”
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