The Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Dr. Peter Akpe, has charged women not to involve themselves in politics of entitlement but rather encourage themselves in assuming greater responsibilities.
Akpe stated this during a solidarity visit by Diri/Akpe Women Support Group to his office at the Government House, Yenagoa, on Wednesday, July 22, 2026.
Emphasising that the era when women’s education was believed to end in the kitchen was long gone, the deputy governor revealed that women could take more responsibilities in molding society and bringing about social changes, noting that women are central to nation-building.
According to him, educated women will go a long way in fostering values and combating insecurity and other social problems through behavioral change communication.
Akpe urged the Diri/Akpe Women Support Group, including other Bayelsa women to espouse values like contentment, hard work, and maintaining acceptable standards in their personal and public dealings.
The deputy governor who received the delegation along with his wife, Dr. Favour Akpe, praised the initiative and termed it as sensible and worthwhile, even as he encouraged the members not to form a group based purely on politics, but to create a relationship-building, capacity-building and service-oriented one.
He further warned them against taking irrational decisions politically since impatience and unrealistic decisions have been responsible for political isolation for many politicians.
He called for loyalty, patience, and cooperation with the leadership of the party and government.
Emphasising on the critical role women play in nation building, Akpe said “as women and mothers, we appreciate the role you play in society. You birth today for tomorrow. And so, we all need to be agent of social engineering. Let’s be intentional about issues such as high expectations and entitlement mentality which is a big problem.
“Today, we hardly talk about contentment, which is a great value. Societies that are guided by values have standardized expectations, and I think that is why they are making more progress.
“So as mothers, I really want you to take yourselves to those foundations and talk about them so that people will be content with what they have and work hard, following standards and acceptable norms.”
He, however, advised them not “to place high expectations for political gains as their core objective, but rather see the group as a veritable platform to foster effective relationships and capacity development.
“If you want to have a long lasting team, then don’t build it totally on political grounds and high expectations. That will not take us far. But build it on the foundation of relationship.
“Support one another because not everybody will lead at the same time. Today, some of you are sitting at the far back. But tomorrow you may be the one sitting in front. As you have started, expand your coast in not just politics but also in relationships.
“For me, politics is just one part of our lives. But when you relate well with people, politics and political decisions become easy. You should be patient because those who take irrational decisions in politics, usually run out of their breakthrough, he added.
Prior to this, the leader of Diri/Akpe Women Support Group, Chief Ebizi Ndiomu-Brown, reiterated the resolve of the group to continue supporting the administration of Governor Douye Diri and Deputy Governor Peter Akpe. She said that the women would continue mobilizing support for the administration while collaborating with other stakeholders before any political engagement.
Ndiomu-Brown, who is also the Member representing Sagbama Constituency Three in the State House of Assembly, assured that the support group would work closely with others to ensure landslide victory for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 elections.
Among notable personalities present during the visit were the Chairman, Ekeremor Rural Development Authority, Mrs Deme Pamosoo Esq, her Tarakiri RDA counterpart, Mrs Ann Enebimoere Asamkpere, the Executive Chairman, Bayelsa State Teachers Training, Registration and Certification Board, High Chief Dr. Mrs. Stella Ugolo.
Others were former Women Affairs Commissioner, Mrs Martha Jenakumo and one-time Commissioner for Education, Mrs Sylvia Sylvia Fuludu Brigidi, one-time Commissioner for Special Duties (Bayelsa West)/One-time State PDP Woman Leader, Hon. Christie Ebbeli.
