A coalition of Ijaw interest groups has denounced the wave of politically motivated killings in some parts of Bayelsa State.
The group urged all parties involved to abstain from violence and maintain peace during and after the November 11 governorship election, raising concerns about the possibility of violence during the election.
The group counselled the youths of the state not to permit themselves to be used as pawns by politicians to harm each other.
The people of Bayelsa State were urged in a statement signed by the coalition’s secretary, Mr Efiye Bribena, not to sell their votes but instead to select the candidate who will best advance good governance for the benefit of all.
“We are particularly disturbed by the recent politically motivated killings in certain parts of the state. This is not in our character as Bayelsans. We, therefore, strongly condemn these acts of politically motivated violence in our state and urge all politicians to desist from sponsoring any act that will threaten the peace before, on, or during the election,” the statement partly read.
News About Nigeria recalls that in the buildup to the 2023 governorship election in Bayelsa, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had earlier expressed worries over a possible outbreak of violence in the buildup to the November 11 governorship polls in Bayelsa, Kogi, and Imo.
The commission’s comment came in the wake of a heated verbal war between the incumbent governor, Duoye Diri, who is contesting for re-election, and his main contender, Timipre Sylva, who once served as the governor of the state
