Bayelsa Election– NOA calls for peaceful process
Gloria Essien, Yenogoa

As Bayelsa State goes to the polls tomorrow for gubernatorial elections, the Director-General of the National Orientation Agency, Mr. Mike Omeri has declared that peace is not negotiable and therefore urged voters to embrace peace and orderliness during the voting exercise.

Speaking in a message to the people of Bayelsa State through the State Directorate of the NOA, Mrs. Metty Edekaobi, Mr. Mike Omeri said sufficient voter education has been carried out by the NOA to enable the electorate vote right and shun violence.

He also Called on youths in the state to use the opportunity to vote for their future and urged them to reject thuggery and money for vote.

He explained that "good governance entails provision of health care delivery, quality education for our youths, portable water supply, rural infrastructural development and general welfare of the Nigeria people".

The NOA also called on adults to invest in the future of their children by avoiding violence but rather canvass for free and fair election in the state and charged parents to prevent their children from being used as political thugs or ballot box snatchers as no politician would allow his own child to be used as a thug.

Mr. Omeri however appealed to voters not to be afraid but to come out en mass to vote for the candidate of their choice explaining that "democracy would be better enriched when every eligible voter comes out to exercise his or her civil responsibility".

On the part of the Gubernatorial candidates, the Director-General asked them to follow the rules and guidelines as given by the Independent National Electoral Commission which he said is determined to conduct a free and fair election.

He said security agents including the Police have been adequately mobilized to guarantee security. 

Ugo