The Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council has raised alarm that the forth-coming November 11, 2023 governorship poll in the state may witness violence in parts of the state.
Chairman of the State Traditional Rulers Council, and Ibenanaowei (Monarch) of Ekpetiama Kingdom, HRM, King Bubaraye Dakolo, Agada IV, during the week expressed the concerns of the Royal fathers at a press briefing in Yenagoa, the state capital.
He noted that while the State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has been championing the course of peace and development in the state upon assumption of office during the past three years, violence orchestrated by some political office seekers in the state has recently been on the increase in parts of Nembe Council Area of the state.
King Dakolo, who condemned in totality all forms of politically influenced violence as the governorship polls draws closer, also tasked various security formations to live up to their billings, saying reports reaching the traditional rulers council in their most recent meeting showed that there was the likelihood of perpetration of similar acts of violence in parts of Brass, Southern Ijaw, and Ekeremor Local Government Areas of the state in the coming weeks.
A statement from the State Council of Traditional Rulers condemning the recent violence in the Nembe Council Area of the state and any further violence as the elections gets closer made available to newsmen read in parts:
“The attention of the Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council has been drawn to the recent violent incident in Nembe Local Government Area of the State.
“On Saturday 12th August, 2023, the peace, which Nembe had enjoyed for a reasonable while, was breached in the most unfortunate manner, creating serious sense of insecurity, panic and fear amongst the people of the town, the local government and the state in general.
“Looking back at recent historical precedence, it could be inferred, and rightly so, that the attack on the community is not unconnected with the upcoming November 11 gubernatorial election in the state.
“We do not think that law enforcement agencies should allow political actors to violate all the laws of the land and freely walk away in the name of politics”.
The statement added that “It is particularly worrisome to the traditional institution in the state that some political gladiators are bent on destroying the peace that the prosperity administration has brought about and served all and sundry in the state for over three years.
“Unfortunately, we have seen similar acts of violence being meted to Bayelsans in other election seasons in this state and the perpetrators walked away free. We wish it does not repeat in this season.
“Law Enforcement agents must therefore do everything within the law to ensure that there is no further violence in Nembe LGA in particular, and in other parts of the State”.
The traditional rulers council also noted that: “All incidents of violence in the state must be properly investigated and suspects brought to book irrespective of status, and we should know that it has been done, because it could be done.
“Politicians must know that election is no war. They do not need to spill anybody’s blood for a so-called electoral advantage. We strongly believe that it is time to stop handling the tormentors of the Nembe people with kid gloves. We cannot afford to lose lives every season”.
The monarchs also said: “There is also a high level of apprehension that there would be outbreak of politically orchestrated violence in Southern Ijaw, Ekeremor and Brass LGAs in a short while.
“If so, this is a call on law enforcement agencies to not only verbally reassure the people of the State, but ensure that there is no spilling of blood before, during and after the November 11, 2023 gubernatorial election. Abuja, please let Bayelsans breathe, let the Nembe people breathe, and let’s breathe”.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells,
Yenagoa