Bayelsa State business tycoon, Moses Siloko Siasia has declared his intention to run in next year’s governorship election in his home state.

The ‘Intention to seek the office of the Governor of Bayelsa Nigeria’ released in the state capital Yenagoa means that Mr. Siasia is ready to contest against Governor Seriake Dickson of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) re-election.

Siasia, however, did not disclose the party on which ticket he intends to run but concentrated on why he wants to unseat Mr. Dickson. He said:

“My name is Moses Siloko Siasia. I am a young successful Nigerian businessman who has decided to run for office of the governor for my home state of Bayelsa, Nigeria. The age limit to run for the office of governor in our constitution is 35. I have waited patiently for a chance to change the political environment in Bayelsa and on June 7th of this year, I turned 35 and I am ready to run.

“ I am a native of Bayelsa and a self-made successful businessman who until 16 years ago, was a street vendor who scrounged for money and food to survive. Determined to take myself and family out of poverty, I worked day and night literally to gain a foothold in the very challenging private Nigerian economy.

“After consulting with my family and friends, and based upon the tremendous outcry from my home state for help, I have decided to run for the office of governor of Bayelsa. For far too long, my people have suffered from political oppression! Despite being one of the wealthiest states in Nigeria, with an abundance of natural resources, Bayelsa has one of the highest unemployment rates in Nigeria.

“Our children do not have modern schools or tools to educate them. Our students abroad are stranded without resources to complete their education. Our infrastructure has been neglected resulting in dangerous impassable roads, lack of potable water, and basic human hygiene. Our older citizens have been abandoned and left to die in poverty and poor health. Our young, internationally educated young men and women have been denied the opportunity to run for office, and told that ‘the office of the Governor is not for boys’.

“Young citizens of Bayelsa who today seek change are being threatened and intimidated for speaking up against the current regime. Fear mongering and intimidation has no place in Bayelsa and the time has come to end this madness and take back our state from lying, thieving, self-serving politicians.

“Since Bayelsa became a state in 1999, there has not been any private economic growth. Our people rely solely on the allocation of government funds to survive, but the money never trickles down to them due to wastefulness, mismanagement of funds, a lack of leadership and self-serving agendas.

“Our people have been cheated, lied to, misled, neglected, and held in political bondage for far too long and it is time to set my people free. My name is Moses, and I will lead my people to the Promised Land! I am running for governor because it is time to take back our state and usher in a new era of leadership and prosperity for the people of Bayelsa.

“Today, the youth of Bayelsa is crying for real measureable change. The future of Bayelsa is in dire straits. Our youth, the custodians of our future are here to take back our state!

“In July 2015, I will formally declare my campaign in Bayelsa, and on Election Day, will make history as the youngest elected person to the office of Governor in the history of Nigeria. It is time for us, the educated, proven successful business minded professionals to lead.

“The office of the governor is NOT a trust fund for individualistic self-serving agendas. It is the highest office of the state charged with the responsibility of its people. As a successful businessman, I will govern the state with a firm grip on accountability and charge all those who will work with me with great responsibility and high integrity.

“I will bring in much needed international investments and create sustainable and meaningful private sector jobs. It is time for all foreign contractor who come here year in and year out to reinvest in our state. No longer will we allow the world, and our current leadership to take advantage of us. I aim to give hope to the hopes and give voice to the voiceless.

“ The time for real measureable change is now! I am Moses Siloko Siaisia and I am running for the office of the governor of Bayelsa to lead my people out of political bondage and to a land of prosperity!”

•Photo shows Moses Siasia.