Nigerian Politics Becoming Less Violent, Says Gov Diri As CBM Holds Bayelsa Retreat
Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has observed that the political arena in Nigeria was shifting from violence and intimidation to knowledge-based politics.
Speaking during the State Working Committee Retreat of the City Boy Movement (CBM) in Yenagoa, Governor Diri lauded the socio-political group for leading the paradigm shift, insisting that politics should never be about violence.
He noted that while the CBM had been vocal about the re-election of President Bola Tinubu in next year’s election, he urged its members to work with the structures of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state and at the national level.
The Bayelsa governor described the movement as strategic and advised it to go beyond social media advocacy to grassroots mobilisation.
Explaining why he pitched tents with the APC, Diri recalled how President Tinubu supported the state’s development by approving the construction of the second phase of the Nembe-Brass road and that he also granted waivers for the state’s imported gas turbines, stressing that the President deserved the support of the people of Bayelsa.
He also restated his position on a restructured Nigeria, saying democracy thrives only when there was justice and fairness, and that given his antecedence, Tinubu was the right man to restructure Nigeria.
His words: “The use of guns and intimidation is giving way to knowledge-based electoral process and I commend the City Boy Movement for this. We are not animals and we do not need to be flogged before we move. I am happy that gradually our politics is changing for the better.
“All of the various support groups must know that the party structure is the number one structure and I am happy that the City Boy Movement is working with the party.
“In this state, APC is a no-go area. Our chances of winning the 2027 election is very high.
“This is one good thing I have seen that a youth group coming together to strategise for an election. We all want our President to come back but it wild not happen by chance. We all have to play our roles not just on social media but at the grassroots. It is our duty to go from door to door.
“President Tinubu has supported the development of Bayelsa State and deserves the support of the people.
He responded swiftly to the request for the second phase of the Nembe-Brass road and also gave us waivers for the gas turbines.
“I am an advocate of restructuring and President Tinubu is doing things that people had not succeeded in doing such as state policing. For us in Bayelsa, we want to control our resources and pay tax to the centre and I believe that if we must acheive that, this President is one we must follow. We have seen a President who is stable and capable. Let us allow him to complete his second term.”
In his remarks, Bayelsa State APC chairman, Hon. Warman Ogoriba, thanked Governor Diri for his support to the party, saying the APC decided to be strategic rather than joining issues with people or other parties.
Ogoriba said the APC parades the best candidates and that the party will mobilise to ensure victory for them in the 2027 elections.
In a welcome address, Bayelsa State Director of the City Boy Movement, High Chief Osomkime Blankson, said the retreat was to strategise for the re-election of President Tinubu as he deserved a second term by reason of his performance and achievements.
He expressed appreciation to the governor for his supportive leadership and commitment to peace and development of the state.
Also, the Director-General of the City Boy Movement, Mr. Francis Shoga, described Tinubu as a courageous leader who has taken painful but beneficial decisions and that the movement would take the achievements of his administration to the grassroots.
He thanked the people of Bayelsa for their support, expressing optimism that the state would contribute significantly to the potential 10 million youth votes of the movement for Tinubu.
