Gov Diri decries arming non-state actors during elections

The Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has expressed concern over the practice of arming civilians by politicians during elections in the country to manipulate the process.

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

Senator Diri, who noted that the development portended grave danger to the country’s electoral system, said that as a result of the trend, there was a general notion that the game of politics was synonymous with violence, corruption and dishonesty, hence the reason why most decent people dreaded politics.

He, therefore, dismissed the perception and encouraged such people, particularly Christians, to get actively involved in politics towards sanitising the electoral system.

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Senator Diri, who also attended a thanksgiving service/children dedication of the Member representing Yenagoa/Kolokuma Federal Constituency, Oforji Oboku, at the Church of God Mission, Yenizuegene, also condemned vote buying during elections.