By Lucy Ladidi Ateko

The senatorial candidate for Bayelsa West under the Young Progressives Party (YPP), Tombra Jennifer Mohammed (née Waritimi), has said poor leadership and the failure of elected officials to deliver democratic dividends informed her decision to contest for the Senate seat.

Tombra an indigene of Aleibiri community in Ekeremor Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, said job creation would be at the centre of her campaign agenda if elected to represent Bayelsa West Senatorial District.

Speaking on her motivation for joining the race, she said the district requires leadership that prioritises development and responds to the needs of the people.

“My decision to contest is as a result of the lack of effective leadership that genuinely brings about the dividends of democracy,” she said.

The candidate identified unemployment as a major concern in the district, stressing that creating employment opportunities for young people would remain a priority of her campaign.

On women’s participation in politics, Tombra acknowledged the challenges many women face in Nigeria’s political space but said her upbringing shaped her confidence to participate actively in leadership.

“I was brought up as a human being with equal rights by my late father Chief M Y Waritimi ACP rtd so I can’t relate personally to most of the challenges women face in politics. However, I am not ignorant of the segregation and alienation of women from Nigerian politics,” she said.

She added that part of her agenda would be to support women willing to participate actively in politics and governance.

Tombra also expressed confidence in her chances, citing her previous grassroots political engagements across communities in Bayelsa West.

“In the last election, we campaigned in over 90 per cent of Bayelsa West and we were the first to do such in the history of Bayelsa West,” she stated.

She assured constituents in Sagbama and Ekeremor federal constituency that her candidacy would offer what she described as genuine representation and improved democratic benefits for the district.