By John Odhe
A sociopolitical pressure group, Niger Delta Development Monitoring Group (NIDDEMOG) has called on politicians and their supporters in Bayelsa State to avoid statements capable of heating up the polity as they continued their campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The group advised the major political actors, the state governor, Senator Douye Diri and National Leader of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Senator Seriake Dickson to exercise restraints and caution in their utterances during campaigns.
The group’s Team Lead, Chief Nengi James-Eriworio, in a statement on Monday noted that what the supporters of various political parties needed at this time was issue based campaign and not casting aspersions on opponents.
He said such unwarranted and personal attacks could create tense moments among supporters and throw them against one another which may lead to violence and possible deaths.
The group cautioned the political actors against use of cheap controversy on who enthrone one politician or another and other trivial issues to divert the attention of the massive voters but focus on telling each region, including the Niger Delta, their action plan for development, prosperity and empowerment.
James-Eriworio called on the duo of Diri and Dickson to exercise caution in the spirit of the Ijaw nation adding that they should both show capacity in leadership by ensuring that their campaigns do not instigate blood shed.
“What we need are road infrastructures, seaports, refineries, improved shore protection plan for communities being washed away from the region. Not who enthroned who to power. Each politician is enthroned by one person or another with the certification of the almighty God,” he said.
