Diri mourns policemen who drowned during election duty

Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has commiserated with the Inspector General of Police and the entire Force, on the unfortunate death of some officers on elections duty to Oporoma, in the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, for the Bayelsa Central Senatorial bye-elections.

A statement signed on behalf of the Governor by Ayiba Duba, Commissioner for Information said that the government of Bayelsa State respects the right of its people to elect candidates of their choice in any poll and will continue to cooperate with all stakeholders to create an environment that endorses peaceful coexistence.

The statement urged INEC to ensure that the people will be allowed to vote, that their votes will be counted and most importantly, that their votes will count.

It further added, “It is my further hope that unauthorised persons, including members of the security forces, party agents or observers will not interfere in the process of polling or the expression of the people’s right to elect candidates of their choice.

“It is of critical interest to our democratic journey that we continue to grow voter confidence, giving assurances that the outcome of our electoral contests is not perceived as products of violence, brigandage, intimidation or inhibition of the people from casting their votes according to their individual will.

“I wish to thank the good people of Bayelsa State for their maturity, support and being law-abiding in the course of my administration in the course of what has been a difficult season.

“We are monitoring events from the various polling units and wards and will make appropriate statements as events unfold. We look forward to a new era of elections in Bayelsa State, devoid of violence and bloodletting, where the manifest choices of the people will be reflected in the final results.

In the meantime, we encourage all citizens of Bayelsa to please feel able to continue to go about your legitimate business with fear, let or hindrance.”