The Network of Bayelsa Professionals (NBP) has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to refrain from interfering in the forthcoming November 11 gubernatorial election in Bayelsa State, emphasizing the importance of impartiality for the sake of democracy’s progress and fairness in the country.
The group’s call for presidential neutrality stems from speculation that President Tinubu may have assured full support, including military intervention, to the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate, Timipre Sylva, to secure victory in the election.
Reports have circulated that APC members in the state celebrated President Tinubu’s commitment to ensuring Sylva’s victory, possibly involving the military’s influence. This claim emerged after a recent meeting between Tinubu and Sylva at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, as suggested in a viral video posted on social media.
The Network of Bayelsa Professionals issued a statement on Sunday, expressing concerns that if these claims hold true, President Tinubu’s actions could undermine democracy and potentially create chaos in the state.
The group conveyed, “Tinubu must recognize the weight he carries due to his rise, and should not amplify that burden. Instead, he should use the upcoming elections as an opportunity to redeem himself.”
They further appealed to the President to be cautious of those aiming to exploit his influence to disrupt the state’s peace and stability due to their personal ambitions. Emphasizing that Bayelsa citizens are preparing for elections, not conflict, they stressed the importance of ballots over bullets and PVC cards over AK-47 rifles. The group acknowledged past instances where security agents’ roles led to the loss of innocent lives.
In addition to urging against the use of the election to transform the state into a battleground, the NBP also called on Tinubu to caution all responsible institutions involved in the election’s organization. They implored these entities to ensure the votes of the people are counted and to avoid generating unnecessary tension or panic before, during, and after the election.
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