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

Bayelsa State Governor and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Senator Douye Diri, has warned that any traditional ruler that allows election violence in his domain during the November 11 gubernatorial election in the state would be deposed.

He issued the warning at the weekend when he led the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship campaign team on a visit to the palace of the Okpo XXI of Okpoama Kingdom, King Ebitimi Banigo, at Okpoama in Brass Local Government Area of the state.

He said “Let me caution that any traditional ruler that connives to breach the peace during the election risks being dethroned by my administration. We will not condone electoral violence as a government that upholds democratic principles.

“Political parties and their supporters should be allowed to canvass for votes without molestation.”

While thanking the Okpoama monarch, the council of chiefs and other stakeholders for their royal blessings and warm reception, the state’s helmsman urged them to sustain the prevailing peace in the state before, during and after the election.

In a related development, the governor received hundreds of defectors from the Seibarugu Political Dynasty of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the state.

The influential group, with members across the state, is led by a former Acting Governor and Speaker of the House of Assembly, Chief Werinipre Seibarugu.

At a formal declaration during a meeting with Governor Douye Diri in Government House, Yenagoa, coordinator of the Seibarugu Dynasty, Mr. Ebiye Waripamo, said they were attracted to the PDP by the governor’s leadership style that is peaceful and development-oriented.

Waripamo said after assessing Governor Diri’s performance in almost four years, particularly the prevailing peace and security as well as the ongoing developmental projects across the state, they were left no choice than to join hands with him to move Bayelsa forward.

He assured the governor and members of the PDP of their unalloyed commitment to the governor’s re-election on November 11, 2023.

In his remarks, the state PDP chairman, Mr. Solomon Agwana, welcomed the group and assured that the members will not be discriminated against.

Responding, Diri expressed appreciation to leader of the Seibarugu Dynasty and described Chief Seibarugu as a man of conviction and integrity.

He said the APC in the state was a deceitful party that does not mean well for its development, saying its candidate, a former governor, had nothing reasonable to show for his time in office.