by Nathan Nwakamma
Ahead of Saturday’s governorship election in Bayelsa, stakeholders have been emphasising the imperative for all actors in the political space of the state, including voters and contestants to work for a peaceful and credible election on Nov. 11.
The off-cycle governorship election has sixteen candidates seeking the people’s votes to run the affairs of Bayelsa for the next four years.
With the signing of peace accord on Wednesday by the key political actors in the election, expectations are high that the political gladiators will allow the people to cast their votes and accept the outcome of the election.
However, two of the governorship candidates, Gov. Douye Diri and Chief Timipre Sylva have not stopped throwing jabs at each other, thereby creating fear of possibility of violence during the election.
Both have accused each other of amassing arms, ostensibly to influence the outcome of the governorship election, but non have been used yet, and the prayers of all is that let peace reign in Bayelsa.
Even before the signing of the peace accord, heads of security agencies have been calling for peaceful polls in the state.
Both the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa and the Inspector General of Police, Dr Kayode Egbetokun were separately in Bayelsa, echoing the message of peace before, during and after the election.
Except for the rhetoric, the campaigns have been relatively peaceful, though there were isolated skirmishes recorded between loyalists across party lines.
Even so, the IGP said the police had deployed 40,000 personnel to work with other security agencies throughout the election period.
He directed the officers and men deployed for the election duties to maintain neutrality as sanctions await anyone caught acting unprofessionally.
Similarly, the CDS said troops deployed for the election must be neutral and professional, adding that anyone caught to be complicit in any illegality would be court martialed.
Sen. Seriake Dickson, who represents Bayelsa West, has also joined the advocacy for peaceful polls in Bayelsa, urging voters to be peaceful and orderly.
However, the most profound call came from former President Goodluck Jonathan during a Dialogue hosted by Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Foundation.
Jonathan told the people of Bayelsa that “peace is priceless”, and “no ambition is worth the blood of any Nigerian.”
Jonathan added that the people of Bayelsa should vote for candidates of their choice devoid of violence.
“There is absolutely no need for violence, there is no nation in the world that develops through violence, and if the candidate who is promoting violence was killed would he be alive to have any ambition?
“It is only in the atmosphere of peace that economic and other forms of development can flourish,” the former president added.
It seems that Jonathan’s message has resonated well as the front line gladiators have toned down their rhetoric.
For a start, Diri of the Peoples Democratic Party and Sylva of the All Progressives Congress, have voiced their committments to peace.
“I am one person that all of you will attest that the peace in this state is because the body language of the governor is peaceful, the body language of the governor is security, and so the issue and question of my commitment does not arise here, I’m fully committed to peace,” he said.
Sylva on his part said “we are committed to peace in Bayelsa, but we are not comfortable with the disposition of our opponents.
“I’m hoping that the peace accord will make all of us to stand back, and ensure there is peace in this election.
“This is a very significant ceremony, and for us in APC, we are very happy that this is happening, because we always stood for peace and we hope that other parties will obey and abide by the peace accord,” he added.
With these voices of reason and the pledge of President Bola Tinubu not to interfere in the election, stakeholders are hopeful that the best candidate will win.(NAN)
FOR ADVERT AND NEWS PUBLICATION, EMAIL US @ tarakirivoicenewspaper@gmail.com or call or WhatsApp us on 08160439769
