Diri decries politicians arming non- state actors during elections

GOVERNOR of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri, has expressed concerns over politicians arming civilians to manipulate the electoral process.

Diri stated this, yesterday , during a special retirement thanksgiving service in honour of Air Vice Marshal Nelson Calmday at the Living Faith Church of God, at Akenfa- Epie, Yenagoa.

Diri, who said the development portends grave danger for the country's electoral system, noted that because of the trend, there is a general notion that politics is synonymous with violence, corruption, and dishonest y.

The governor said most decent people dread politics because of such a notion.

He, however , dismissed the perception and encouraged such people, particularly Christians, to get actively involved in politics to help sanitise the electoral system.

Diri stressed the need for all stakeholders to work togeth - er to change the narrative for the sake of posterity.

He said: “Politics should be the state belongs to them?” played by decent and honest Diri, who also attended a people, who are ready to serve thanksgiving service and chiland protect the interest of the dren dedication of the mempeople. ber representing

"How long will Africans conYenagoa/ Kolokuma Federal tinue to play politics of vioConstituency in the House of lence, brigandage and Representatives, Oforji impunity as if we are in the Oboku, at the Church of God Stone Age? We should learn to Mission, Yenizuegene, conrise above such antics in our demned the incidence of electoral system. vote- buying during elections. “In saner climes, elections The governor said: "There is take place peacefully without what we call poverty of the violence. Should we hand mind apart from poverty of over this state to a group of the pocket. There is also gangsters; people who think integrity in poverty.”