The Labour Party’s governorship candidate in the 2023 Bayelsa State election, Udengs Eradiri has opened up about the hurdles he faced during his campaign, the transactional nature of politics in Nigeria, and his plans for re-engaging in the state’s political landscape.
Speaking in an interview with Arise News on Monday, Eradiri criticised both his party and the broader political system for their failures, lamenting the deep-rooted corruption and systemic challenges that hinder meaningful leadership and development.
Speaking about reports suggesting he might leave the Labour Party to advance his political career, Eradiri responded, “They showed me pepper, both from the side of the people and also at the party. You hear that Nigerians are suffering, but once you bring money, Nigerians would forget that suffering. I was fooled.
“I thought Bayelsans and Nigerians were ready, and I did everything possible. I told them clearly, I don’t have money, but I have the capacity to change the society, to change things around.”
Eradiri expressed frustration with what he described as a “transactional” approach to politics, both within his party and the larger political system.
“On the part of the party, transactional. People just put themselves together and see what they can get from the system, either the ruling party or those who have deep pockets,” he said.
He also criticised the electoral process, alleging manipulation and systemic issues that disadvantaged candidates like him. “The Lagos system and the judiciary of the INEC killed the moral system, and that’s what affected people like us in the electoral system who did not have the deep pockets to throw money around,” he explained.
Eradiri further alleged that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) contributed to these challenges. “The code that INEC gives to your party, they would sell it to the opponent.
“Before you know it, the opposing party has uploaded agents on your behalf. By the time you try, it would not work. Those are the transactions made,” he said.
Reflecting on his current state, Eradiri acknowledged the toll the experience has taken on him. “I’m focused on my practice, to work and generate resources and reorganize myself because I’m disorganised, having gone through that process trying to fund it,” he said.
Despite his disillusionment, Eradiri noted that the challenges he faced were not unique to his party. “These shenanigans are in every party, but you get to a certain area that you can manage them.
“Human beings are the ones who are able to navigate through all those parties, probably because there is a structure that, no matter what, you would be able to find.”
Looking forward, he expressed a desire to work collaboratively with like-minded individuals in Bayelsa State. “I want to work with the system, with my mates who are also looking at a way forward for Bayelsa State.
“Some of them have expressed themselves in various opportunities given, and then there would be opportunities for us to do one or two things,” he said.
Eradiri also hinted at his preferred role in governance, saying, “I’ve come to the conclusion that I’m an executive person, where I can pick things and drop them here.”
He added, “I would even prefer to be a local government chairman today to show them that this leadership can be dispensed as it should be, rather than the shenanigans that we see.”
Boluwatife Enome
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