A 37-year-old data scientist, Domor Mienye, has declared his intention to contest the Bayelsa State governorship election on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

He made the declaration during his engagements with youths, women’s groups, and community stakeholders in Yenagoa on Wednesday, where he outlined his governance vision and development priorities for the state.

Mr Mienye said Bayelsa required a shift from traditional governance models to a structured, execution-driven system that prioritised measurable outcomes and long-term sustainable development across key sectors.

He said the state had strong potential in the blue economy, energy transition, and youth-driven innovation but needed leadership capable of converting opportunities into tangible development results.

According to him, governance should be innovation-focused, youth-centred, and driven by sustainable economic growth policies that deliver practical benefits to citizens across communities.

Mr Mienye, recognised among the top two per cent of global scientists by Stanford University and Elsevier in 2024 and 2025, said his background positioned him for a different governance approach.

He said that his experience in academia, industry, and a United Nations-supported organisation would enable him to bring structured systems thinking into public administration in Bayelsa State.

“My focus is on building systems where decisions are guided by data, performance is tracked, and outcomes are visible. This will restore trust and drive development,” he said.

He emphasised the importance of youth empowerment through skills development, digital innovation, and entrepreneurship as key drivers of economic transformation in the state.

“The future of Bayelsa lies with its young people. We must equip them with skills, support innovation, and create opportunities for meaningful economic participation,” he added.

Mr Mienye also emphasised inclusive governance, saying sustainable development could not be achieved without active participation and empowerment of women across economic and social sectors.

He further highlighted the importance of engaging Bayelsa indigenes in the diaspora, describing them as valuable contributors to investment, innovation, and knowledge transfer.

“There is a strong community of Bayelsa people abroad with global experience. We must create structured channels to harness their expertise for development,” he said.

He said his decision to contest was driven by a commitment to credible leadership and practical solutions aimed at repositioning the state for progress.

“This is about service and responsibility. Bayelsa can achieve more with the right leadership and a clear, structured approach to governance,” he stated.

Mr Mienye added that his consultations with stakeholders were part of a broader effort to build consensus and shape a development agenda aligned with the people’s aspirations.

(NAN)