You’ll be deposed If you back violence – Diri warns monarchs

Senator Douye Diri, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for governor of Bayelsa State, has threatened to remove any traditional ruler who permits election violence in his territory on November 11.

During a visit to Okpoama, in the Brass Local Government Area of the state, on Saturday, he delivered the warning while leading the governorship campaign team for the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Let me warn any traditional ruler who plots to disrupt the election with violence or intimidation that my administration would not hesitate to remove them from power. As a government committed to democratic values, we will not tolerate any form of violence during the electoral process.

To quote a recent Supreme Court ruling: “Political parties and their supporters should be allowed to canvass for votes without molestation.”

The head of state thanked the Okpoama monarch, the council of chiefs, and other stakeholders for their warm welcome and royal blessings, and he asked them to keep the peace in the state throughout the election process and beyond.

Relatedly, hundreds of members of the All Progressives Congress, APC’s Seibarugu Political Dynasty defected to the governor.

Chief Werinipre Seibarugu, a former Acting Governor and Speaker of the House of Assembly, is at the helm of the powerful clan.

Mr. Ebiye Waripamo, coordinator of the Seibarugu Dynasty, made a formal declaration to Governor Douye Diri in Government House, Yenagoa, explaining why his group had decided to join the PDP. They were drawn to the governor’s leadership style because of its emphasis on peace and development.

Waripamo stated they had no choice but to work with Governor Diri to advance Bayelsa after evaluating his accomplishments over the past four years. He cited the state’s relative stability and the numerous ongoing infrastructure projects as reasons for this.

He promised the governor and the PDP that they would support his re-election on November 11, 2023, 100% of the way.

State PDP chairman Solomon Agwana extended a warm welcome to the organization and promised its members equal treatment.

Diri thanked Chief Seibarugu for his leadership of the Seibarugu Dynasty, praising him as a man of strong convictions and unwavering honor.

He characterized the APC in the state as dishonest and uninterested in its development, claiming that the party’s candidate for governor had accomplished little of substance during his tenure.