NEMBE CHIEFS LAUNCH CAMPAIGN FOR VIOLENCE-FREE ELECTIONS IN BAYELSA IN 2023

Traditional heads and chiefs of the Nembe Divisional Council of Chiefs (NDCC) in Bayelsa State’s Nembe and Brass Local Government Areas have warned politicians to avoid comments and acts that may incite violence during the 2023 general election.

The traditional heads, made up of registered traditional war-canoe chiefs from all Nembe Ethnic extraction within Nembe Se and comprised of nine federating units, stated that instead of engaging in acts that could endanger the state’s peace, all internal issues and disagreements should be discussed and resolved at a roundtable.

The Nembe traditional heads declared in a communiqué issued at the conclusion of the Nembe Divisional Council of Chiefs meeting at the Nembe City Hall, presided over by the chairman, Chief Nimi Barigha-Amange, the Secretary-General, Chief Theo Kioerigha-Onu, and the Public Relations Officer, Alabo Nengi James-Eriworio, that the era of turmoil and war is over in the state’s Nembe speaking areas.

“Council appealed and asked the first class traditional rulers in Nembe and Brass Local Government areas to regularly convene at least once a year to discuss Nembe Se shared issues,” the communiqué stated in part. The Council also recommended its members to stay as neutral as possible in active politics. Those who join in active party politics, on the other hand, should do it with the decorum and respect expected of Nembe traditional war canoe leaders.”

They also advised residents of the Nembe and Brass Local Government Areas to collect and safeguard their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and vote for the candidate of their choice without fear or favor during the 2023 general election.

On the Governor Douye Diri-led administration’s development activities in Nembe and Brass, the traditional heads chastised those behind the insulting campaign against the ‘Prosperity Government,’ while commending the governor for flagging off the Nembe-Brass road.

They stated that the road project’s eventual completion would result in quick development and benefit the people of Nembe Se, Bayelsa State, and Nigeria in general.

They also encouraged Nembe descendants and Bayelsans to cultivate the habit of appreciating and thanking those who have contributed to the land, particularly His Eminence Mingi XII, the Amanayabo of Nembe Kingdom.