Governor Diri Warns Monarchs, Groups Against Election Violence

Report by Grace Freeman – Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri warns monarchs, youth groups and political stakeholders in various communities in the state against election violence.

Governor Diri gave the warning during the PDP campaigns in the Yenagoa Central Senatorial district saying the state would dethrone any monarch and de-recognize any youth group in any community that perpetrates election violence.

He pointed out that monarchs are suppose to be non partisan and neutral in political activities adding that politics is about exercising one’s franchise through the ballot and not about violence and death.

“I am advising now but will take the action later through my deputy who is head, any traditional ruler in whose domain any politician uses thugs to drive out any other party, that traditional ruler would be deposed, youths of that place would be de-recognized and I mean every word that comes out of my mouth”

While speaking on aspirants who ignore the constitution of the party using litigations, he advised them to jettison such action and use internal mechanisms in the party to resolve disputes.

The governor called on all Bayelsans to turn out in large numbers to vote for the PDP in the Presidential, Senatorial and State House of Assembly elections.

He charged party agents who he described as the livewire of the party to be vigilant during the election expressing optimism that the use of the Biomodial Voters Accreditation System, BVAS would go a long way in checking electoral malpractices.