Nigerian Politics Shifting From Violence To Knowledge-Based Politics, Says Diri

 Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has observed that Nigeria’s political landscape is gradually shifting from violence and intimidation to a knowledge-based electoral process.

Diri made the observation on Tuesday while speaking at the State Working Committee Retreat of the City Boy Movement (CBM) in Yenagoa, where he commended the socio-political group for contributing to what he described as a positive change in the country’s political culture.

The governor stressed that politics should not be associated with violence, noting that Nigerians should be able to participate in the electoral process without intimidation.

He said the CBM’s advocacy for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election was commendable, but urged its members to work closely with the structures of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at both the state and national levels.

Diri described the movement as strategic and advised its members to complement their social media activities with grassroots mobilisation.

“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,” he said.

He added: “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 will 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.”

Explaining his decision to align with the APC, Diri recalled the support he said President Tinubu had given to the development of Bayelsa State.

According to him, the President responded to the state’s request for the construction of the second phase of the Nembe-Brass Road and also granted waivers for the state’s imported gas turbines.

“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,” he stated.

The governor also reiterated his advocacy for the restructuring of Nigeria, arguing that democracy could only thrive where justice and fairness prevailed.

Diri said President Tinubu had taken steps towards reforms, including moves towards state policing, which he said aligned with the aspirations of advocates of restructuring.

“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 achieve 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,” he said.

In his remarks, the Bayelsa State APC Chairman, Hon. Warman Ogoriba, thanked Governor Diri for his support to the party, saying the APC had chosen to be strategic rather than engaging in unnecessary confrontations with individuals or other political parties.

Ogoriba said the party had the best candidates and would mobilise its members and supporters to secure victory in the 2027 elections.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Bayelsa State Director of the City Boy Movement, High Chief Osomkime Blankson, said the retreat was organised to strategise for the re-election of President Tinubu, whom he described as deserving of a second term based on his performance and achievements.

Blankson appreciated Governor Diri for his supportive leadership and commitment to peace and development in Bayelsa State.

Also speaking, the Director-General of the City Boy Movement, Mr. Francis Shoga, described President Tinubu as a courageous leader who had taken difficult but beneficial decisions for the country.

Shoga said the movement would take the achievements of the Tinubu administration to the grassroots, while expressing appreciation to the people of Bayelsa State for their support.

He expressed optimism that Bayelsa would contribute significantly to the movement’s target of mobilising 10 million youth votes for President Tinubu in the 2027 election.