Steer Clear of Douye Diri at Poll, Diri Warns Illegal Groups

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has warned that the state would not condone the activities of illegal uniformed groups before and during the November 11 governorship election in the state.

Diri, who warned such groups to stay away from the state or face the wrath of the law, gave the warning against the backdrop of claims that some politicians were planning to arm youths, dressed in acquired uniforms to perpetrate violence during the poll.

Diri spoke at the service of songs in honour of a deceased All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Chief Nestor Binabo, a former Speaker of the House of Assembly and Acting Governor of the state, at the Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha Memorial Banquet hall, Yenagoa, Wednesday.

The governor, who is the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, called on such individuals to retrace their steps as the state was no longer a theatre of war during elections.

He asserted that with the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) introduced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), violence, thuggery and  ballot box snatching had become irrelevant during elections.

Diri extolled the qualities of the departed politician, stressing that Binabo was never known to patronise thugs for election purposes and urged other politicians to take a cue from his noteworthy example.

He said: “Those civilians plotting to dress in military toga during the November election, it is time they realised that Bayelsa was no longer the spot for such games played over the years. That culture of political violence has to stop.

“We are happy that now we have the BVAS. So, those used to violence to attain offices, even from the point of view of INEC, have to stop. With BVAS, you can no longer write election results or intimidate and terrorise the same people you want to lead. If you plan to do that, please, I advise you join the military.”