Again, Diri cautions Bayelsan traditional rulers against partisanship

Monarchs in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area of Bayelsa State have conferred chieftaincy titles on Governor Douye Diri and the Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewrudjakpor.

Diri was conferred the title “Olotu Kpekpe 1” (the one and only champion) of Kolokuma/Opokuma while his deputy received the title “Kuro Okpo 1” (Strong one) of Kolokuma/Opokuma.

The conferment ceremony took place at the palace of the Ibedaowei of Kolokuma Kingdom, King Mozi Agara, in Kaiama as Governor Diri rounded off his re-election campaign in Constituency 1 of the local government area yesterday.

Speaking on behalf of the KOLGA Council of Chiefs, King Agara, who is the chairman, described the duo as blessings to people of the area and that they have felt the positive impact of their leadership.

The monarchs prayed and wished the governor and his deputy well as they go into the governorship election on November 11.

Responding, Governor Diri expressed appreciation to the monarchs for the honour and promised that they will be good ambassadors of the kingdom.

He restated his call on traditional rulers to guard against partisan utterances or getting involved in partisan politics, urging them to operate within extant laws.

Speaking at rallies in Odi, Opokuma and Sabagreia, Diri said he was not in Kolokuma /Opokuma to campaign but to thank his people for their support over the years and expressed confidence that on November 11, they will vote overwhelmingly for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

He equally implored people of the area to maintain the peace before, during and after the election and assured them of more developmental projects.

He stated: “We are not in Kolokuma/Opokuma to campaign. We came to greet our people and spend time with them.

“We thank you for your support over the years and we promise not to let you down. We are also confident that you will continue to support us.

“For our traditional rulers, I have been saying it that the traditional institution must not be involved in politics. You can receive and pray for anybody but you should not go beyond that. Traditional rulers should not be partisan.”

In his remarks, Director-General of the PDP Governorship Campaign Council, Dr. Mitema Obodor, claimed that any vote cast for the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) in the election would be invalid as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had delisted the party following a court ruling that disqualified its governorship candidate.

At Opokuma, member representing Kolokuma/Opokuma Constituency 2 in the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Wisdom Fafi, assured of the people’s support in the election, saying the governor had done so much in the local government area and that the people will not vote against their own son that is performing well.

At Odi, a former Speaker of the House Of Assembly, Dr. Tonye Isenah as well as the Commissioner for Works and infrastructure, Mr. Moses Teibowei, said the people came out to thank the governor for his administration’s projects in the community, which included internal road, solar-powered street lights and the shore protection project that saved the people from flooding this year.

He assured him of 100 per cent votes during the election.