SYLVA AND DIRI EXCHANGE WORDS CONCERNING VIOLENCE AND ARMS STORAGE IN BAYELSA

Babatunji Wusu –

Timipre Sylva, the All Progressives Congress’ (APC) candidate for governor of Bayelsa State, has charged Governor Douye Diri with inciting violence and amassing weapons ahead of the November 11 election.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday at the National Peace Committee (NPC)-organized peace signing ceremony in Yenagoa, Sylva said that the PDP was responsible for a great deal of the bloodshed in Kolokuma/Opokuma LGA.

The former State Minister for Petroleum did, however, voice optimism that the peace agreement would force the pivotal figures in the election to step back and pursue peace.

“We’re hoping that the peace accord will make all of us stand back and ensure there is peace in this election,” he said. “APC has come today to demonstrate that we are committed to peace in Bayelsa State, but we are not comfortable with the disposition of our opponents; PDP has orchestrated a lot of violence in Kolokuma/Opokuma LGA.

“After signing the peace accord, we believe it will at least change everybody not to do what they are planning to do because we hear all the plans, we hear thugs imported from other states.” “We hope that other parties will obey and abide by the peace accord.”

Speaking as well, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for governor, Governor Diri, refuted claims that he was maintaining weapons and inciting violence in Kolokuma/Opokuma LGA.

Nonetheless, the governor urged the people of the state to turn out in large numbers to vote on Saturday and pledged his undying commitment to maintaining peace.

“That should be the fattest lie of the year, and it shows that this peace accord is going to be ineffectual,” he said. “Sylva has accused me, Douye Diri, of stockpiling arms in Kolokuma/Opokuma LGA. If a man chooses to be telling lies even in the face of this peace accord, then something is wrong.”