Bayelsa state senator-elect Mr. Ben Murray Bruce spoke on issues relating to accountability and transparency in government. He said:
I have not criticised any government. I have not criticised APC. I have not criticised PDP. I have not criticised Goodluck Jonathan, neither have I criticised Muhammadu Buhari. I have raised good government issues and policy issues.
These are issues that I have raised all my life. Maybe these people on social media have just discovered Ben Bruce but, go and check the speeches I made two years ago, three years ago, twenty years ago, even in front of President Goodluck Jonathan to ascertain whether they are different from what I am saying now; maybe they just discovered me. Go on youtube and see my speeches.
The level of poverty and unemployment is devastating. We need to focus on laws that protect the poor. What is the biggest problem in Nigeria today? It is consumption versus production. Our leaders are guilty of consuming the resources of the majority. What do we have for the poor – the millions of people living on two dollars a day? And then you have governors in large convoys, commissioners driving N20m cars, flying first class in states that cannot pay salaries. The governors fly private jets. Commissioners live like kings. If three policemen guard a commissioner, how many policemen do we have in Nigeria? Less than 200,000. So who is policing the poor when they are being raped, maimed and killed, their goods stolen?
In Bayelsa, sea pirates steal from boats. They steal N200, N500, fishing nets; they attack people and rape their women. There is poverty and frustration everywhere in the land. And then people we voted into offices are living like lords. Does that make sense? Is it legal? Is it ethical? Is it moral? Can you justify that consumption behaviour because they voted you into office? In most states, the only employer of labour is government, the rest are jobless.
Some government officials will wake up one morning like monarchs and dash money to the people on the street because they see them as beggars. You turn your people to beggars and you get scared that they could kill you. Why won’t you live in fear? What if you consume less and distribute what you have to the rest of the people so that they can be happy and you can live in peace?
It is a class war between the rich and the poor. I have said it for 35 years and I am saying it again because it is worse today.  Boko Haram in the North, militancy in the South-South, kidnapping in the South-West and South East; raping, paedophile, maiming and stealing everywhere, what does that tell you? We have a problem in our hands and everybody must be held accountable.
President Buhari, who I like, is leading by example. He is a simple man and, because he is a simple man, I expect him to appoint people who will live simple lifestyle, people that will not consume the resources of the people. As lawmakers, we will checkmate their lifestyle. I will remind every minister and appointee of the need to live moderate life.
I am fighting against the corrupt elite. I am 59 and you only live once. The worst they can do to me is to take me out, so what? When the corrupt elite see me, let them know I am fighting them. When they drink that bottle of champagne that can educate a child, let them know I am fighting them. When they fly first class with tax payers money, let them know I am fighting them. Let them know that I am totally against their lifestyle because it is destroying the economy. We are broke, the elite deserve to be fought and they should be ashamed of themselves going by the way they live.
You go into government and fly first class but in your private life, you fly economy. You go into government, one man carries your phone, another opens the door of your car, another carries your bag, another reads the newspapers to you and you have ten policemen protecting you, what for? Were you born to the world as a king and everyone of us must worship you? They should apologise to Nigerians for looting the treasury and destroying the economy.
We don’t have distribution of wealth in Nigeria but the apportioning of wealth by the small minority and nothing else for the poor majority. There is no wealth distribution and that is why we don’t have the middle class. There are the poor and the champagne drinking super rich.
Vanguard.

Sha no die

Hahahahaha Ben Bruce no go kill person oh. When I was busy working hard, the poor man was busy watching Premier League games and Blue Film. Abeg make we focus these attacks on government workers and politicians, and NOT the wealthy hardworking class.

Is this not the same man who suggested we get ourselves electric cars?

Rather than fight the rich, he can better still use those resources to raise a life.

I don't see the need putting up a fight that you will never win.

U want to fight urself

This man is making a whole lot of sense, I pray God grants him the strength to carry out his plans.

Hope you can walk the talk and remember they can and will fight back.

You are not there to fight you are there formulate people friendly laws and recomendations

In that case Mr. Ben, get a rifle and face it to your head b'cos my count shows you are one of them.

You can never be a Nigeria's president by playing to the gallery like this.

We are too wise not to notice a hypocrite when we see one.

He should start with himself.

Is he poor?

Mttcheeew...mad people lithering the street of Abuja

Somebody gotta speak the TRUTH and this is what Senator Ben Bruce is talking about.......these politicians are actually robbing us blind by enacting weak laws, writting powerless constitution that makes every Tom, Dick and Harry in government to be Super rich overnight...... if Nigeria must work, corruption, favourtism, nepotism, tribal discrimination, gross injustice in wealth distribution must be fully addressed and not this mumucracy will call democracy. Well done Ben Bruce.

Ben Bruce should try a career in comedy, he is damn funny. How can a thief fight another thief.

Can't this accidental Senator just shut up.

okay o,talk is cheap

Please, who read the piece?....
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BWT
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I hope we will be hearing you loud and clear starting from next week

Billyonaire:
Hahahahaha Ben Bruce no go kill person oh. When I was busy working hard, the poor man was busy watching Premier League games and Blue Film. Abeg make we focus these attacks on government workers and politicians, and NOT the wealthy hardworking class.

chief chief
The Internet is a great place to play Bill Gates

J

a glance through the comments could faze a freedom fighter, But I believe Ben Bruce will march on and won't pay attention to likes of these low lifers for the majority of Nigerians who needs someone to be at the forefront doing their bidding. This man knows the job of a senator and will definitely make a fine one.

hardywaltz:
Can't this accidental Senator just shut up.

how about you shut up and let someone who is ready to speak up against the system do!

eedriyz:
Is this not the same man who suggested we get ourselves electric cars?

yes the same man and he planning on getting the government to make solar power available to every household in Nigeria, the problem is are u willing to be part of the voice that will bring about this change or will you continue to sit behind your computer gadget and criticize another's attempt at solving a national problem?

larrymoore:
U want to fight urself

according to you those who fought for freedom in History fought themselves......free your mind from the "crab mentality"

richidinho:
Is he poor?

Mttcheeew...mad people lithering the street of Abuja

you that you are poor, how have you used your poverty in helping Nigeria development, cuz all I sense from you is poor judgement and misplaced criticism.

psucc:
Rather than fight the rich, he can better still use those resources to raise a life.

I don't see the need putting up a fight that you will never win.

I'm sorry, but based on your comment, you don't come across as someone who has leadership skills and is willing yo fight for others against all odds. you are saying He should fit and continue with the corrupt system already in existence in Nigeria?

wonder what the world would look like today if great historical figures actually thought this way too.