Again, Diri Says Nobody Must Die During Bayelsa Election

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For the umpteenth time, the Bayelsa State governor, Senator Douye Diri has said that no life must be lost in the course of the election holding in his state on Saturday. This is coming even as the Inspector-General of Police IGP, Mr. Kayode, Egbetokun, has warned all those with evil intensions to avoid the state.

Diri spoke when he received the police IG in his office, ahead of the election. The police boss said the police and other security agencies were fully ready and duty bound to ensure free and fair poll in the state and that troublemakers would be made to face the full weight of the law.

He explained that his visit was in respect of the election and assured that the police was neutral. While calling on Bayelsans to have confidence in the police, he emphasized that the increased deployment of its personnel in the state was in order to forestall any violence during the poll.

He said: “Your Excellency, you are aware that the election is just four days away. I want to assure you that the police, with the assistance of other security agencies, will provide adequate security for the election on November 11.

“In Bayelsa State, and in the other two states where the election will be taking place, I want to say with confidence that the police and other security agencies have taken a position to be neutral in this election.

“However, those with criminal intention to disrupt the election in Bayelsa will meet our men on ground. They will have the whole of us to contend with.“

On his part, the governor said the pledge of the IGP to provide adequate security for the election was an added advantage to the peace and security the state already enjoyed.

On the call by the police boss on Governor Diri to appeal to his party’s supporters to be non-violent, the Bayelsa helmsman responded that PDP members and supporters were the most peaceful in the buildup to the election.

He said his government and Bayelsans were ready to support the police to achieve zero violence during the poll.

Diri also noted that if a sitting president could lose and accept the outcome of his election without shedding blood, then no one should toy with the lives of Bayelsans because of election.

He also urged people of the state not to be deterred by the large deployment of security personnel or for it to result in voter apathy but rather it should boost their confidence to cast their votes and be assured that their ballot would count and be protected.

He said: “Your remarks were heart-warming and I like to quote you when you said the police will be neutral in this election on Saturday.

“I quote you again. You said the police and other security agencies are committed to a peaceful, free, fair and transparent election In Bayelsa. That is what our people want to hear.

“If there is any governor who deserves award for being peaceful and promoting peace among his people, that award should go to me. And my supporters of the PDP are the most peaceful set of people you can find anywhere.

“For us as a government, we are very ready to work with you very closely and even provide support where you ask for as well as to ensure that we do not lose any life or anybody maimed because of elections.”