YENAGOA, Nigeria – Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, has raised an alarm over alleged stockpiling of arms in preparation for the upcoming November 11 governorship election.
He made this assertion on Saturday, July 8, 2023, at the ‘Unveiling of a New Media Campaign for Promoting Projects and Programmes Commemorating 2023 World Social Media Day/ Launching of ‘PROSPERITY 2.0′’, with the theme, ‘The New Media Paradigm: A New Gateway to Prosperity’.
The event, held at the late DSP Alamieyeseigha Memorial Banquet Hall in Yenagoa on Friday, was organized by the Bayelsa Government New Media, headed by Kola Oredipe.
Governor Diri, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, warned against the use of weapons at the polls, emphasizing that Bayelsa does not need the shedding of innocent blood over political contest.
He stressed the state’s need for peace and unity, which he identifies as one of the key objectives of his administration since its inception.
He stated, “And like I keep saying, this government’s intention is actually to unite the people of Bayelsa State away from hatred. And that’s why I keep saying, where they give hatred we give them love, where they bring darkness we give them light.”
Diri continued, “We are hearing some people want to pile up arms for November 11 (election). We will not pile up arms. Those arms will be piled up, and they will never be used. We don’t want innocent blood of our people, no matter how lowly-placed, because you want to be governor. No, a thousand times no!”
The Governor, who is seeking a second term, further emphasized the need to alleviate the suffering of Bayelsans, especially women and youth, from poverty and hardship, rather than exploiting them as pawns in political struggles.
“Let Bayelsa State become a state of peace and unity, a state that people will like to be coming to even be citizens of Bayelsa State,” he concluded.
