Ben Murray-Bruce

The senator representing Bayelsa East Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Ben Murray-Bruce has withdrawn his participation in the senatorial primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

In a letter which he sent to leaders of the party, Ben Bruce said he was constrained by a zoning arrangement in his locality, which rotates the senatorial seat among the local government areas in the constituency at every election cycle.

Popularly known as the ‘Common Sense Senator’, Murray-Bruce’s withdrawal came barely 24 hours to the commencement of PDP senatorial primaries in Bayelsa and other states.

Murray-Bruce, the founder of the Silverbird Group said although the decision to step down from the race was a tough one, he had to do it than use his might to crush opponents in a manner that could be deemed unfair by some of his constituents.

Murray-Bruce has had one of the most remarkable tenures at the Nigerian Senate since he was elected to the Upper Chamber for the first time in 2015. He is known to regularly make important contributions and often takes hard-line stance against some policies of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration.

His frequent use of social media, especially Twitter has  also earned him admiration among many youths in Nigeria although he often comes under vicious attacks from opposition handles who see him as pushing a populist narrative and lacking legislative competence.

Read the full letter below:

LETTER OF WITHDRAWAL FROM THE BAYELSA EAST SENATORIAL RACE

I thank God and the good people of Brass, Bayelsa East Senatorial District who offered me the golden opportunity four years ago to represent them and the state in the Senate, Nigeria’s highest lawmaking chamber.

It is without doubt that I have tried to discharge my duties as a legislator and representative of my people creditably to the best of my ability so far.

My voice has been very loud on the issues that matter to our people and our country at all time.

My support to our party, my people and state government is unquestionable. I am humbled that the national leadership of my party supported by the State chapter in appreciation of my efforts offered to support my reelection to the Senate to continue my service.

I have also intensified consultations in the last couple of week in the course of which I have come to realize an existing local rotational arrangement of over 20 years beginning with the late Great Chief Melford Okilo, by which arrangement the Senatorial seat rotates per local government area among the three councils for four years in the Senatorial District.

Even with the support of my party at the national and state levels with the full backing of my state government and leadership, as a man of honour interested in the well being of my people, I hereby announce my withdrawal from the senatorial race.

I do not want for whatever reason, to appear to have used my privileged position and influence to do anything, other than the well-being and the stability and the good of the people. I am in all of these for the people, not for myself.

Once again, I thank the former President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, the National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, my colleagues in the Senate and Governor of Bayelsa State, the Honourable Henry Seriake Dickson for their support and encouragement. I also thank the leadership of my Senatorial District and state, for being there for me.

I thank specially, the people of my constituency for their trust and confidence in me to serve and represent them in the Senate.
By trusting me with this mandate, I have come to know them and our people even better, an experience I will never forget for the rest of my life.

I am indeed grateful to my darling wife, my children, other members of my family for their support and prayers. I appreciate the efforts of my hardworking campaign staff for their support and dedication.

Again, I thank the leadership of the party for their continuing support. I also assured the party of my availability and readiness to serve at any capacity when the opportunity comes.

Best Regards,

Senator Ben Murray Bruce.