Governor bans early politicking ahead of 2027, threatens to sack appointees

In a decisive move to maintain focus on governance and prevent premature electioneering, Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri has issued a stern warning to his political appointees against engaging in political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections. He emphasized that any appointee found violating this directive would face immediate dismissal.

Emphasis on Governance Over Politics

During the 162nd session of the Bayelsa State Executive Council meeting held in Yenagoa, Governor Diri expressed concern over the increasing political activities by some appointees, which he deemed as distractions from the administration's developmental agenda. He stated, "This is the time for governance, and we have started hearing public statements on the radio about who is contesting for one office or the other. I advise all of us to refrain from politicking and wait for INEC’s guidelines, particularly for political appointees. If you want to heat up the polity, please resign."

Strict Enforcement Measures

Governor Diri made it clear that the administration would not tolerate any form of early politicking. He warned, "Going forward, any political appointee that goes on air to talk about 2027 politics will be sacked. Any political appointee, no matter his office, who goes on air or does political activities when it is not yet time and it is brought to my knowledge, consider yourself sacked." 

He further advised non-appointees to focus on other productive ventures, stating, "Please look for other economic activities that will bring development to our dear state. We cannot, as a state, be doing politics from January to December every year."

Call for Adherence to INEC Guidelines

Highlighting the importance of following due process, Governor Diri urged all political aspirants to wait for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to release the official timetable for the 2027 elections. He remarked, "There is a timetable for political activities to commence. As a political appointee, that must stop today. Everybody is put on notice that if any of those social media political comments are seen, action will be taken." 

Maintaining Political Stability

Governor Diri's directive aims to prevent unnecessary political tension and ensure that the state's focus remains on governance and development. He emphasized that premature political activities could destabilize the state's political environment and distract from the administration's objectives.

Conclusion

Governor Douye Diri's firm stance against early politicking underscores his commitment to prioritizing governance and maintaining political stability in Bayelsa State. By enforcing strict measures against premature political activities, the administration seeks to ensure that all efforts are directed towards the state's development until the appropriate time for electioneering activities as stipulated by INEC.