Bayelsa guber Poll: Avoid being used to suppress voters – MOSIEND tells security agents

The Movement for the Survival of Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta, MOSIEND, has warned security agents in charge of the November 11 gubernatorial election in Bayelsa State to avoid being used to intimidate and suppress eligible voters.

The group also urged the security agents to ensure that all eligible voters exercise their civil rights without disenfranchisement by any politician or their sponsored thugs, adding that they ought to brace up and protect the people during the exercise.

In a statement issued on Monday, in Yenagoa, National Secretary of MOSIEND, Amb. Winston Amain maintained that there is always life after everyone election, and as such, the actors and non actors alike should shun every move that could lead to a breach of the existing peace in the state.

The statement said, “We condemn the recent menace of attacks in our state, which find disturbing. Election is not war, but a process to access a position. We need to abide by the rules of engagement.

“If we kill ourselves, who and who will they rule? The youths need to absolutely reject and refuse to be used as tools for trouble before, during and after the November 11th governorship election in the state.

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“All candidates are from Bayelsa State, so we don’t need to promote violence or incite ourselves against each other all in the name of politics.

“Political parties should not be the yardstick to support or vote for any candidate, but what development we can benefit should be our aim. The message is clear and we should avoid sentiment all in the name of political parties. We are brothers even if we support different parties.

“The youths need to critically analyse political messages and not blindly follow or support any candidate or group of persons to promote violence or incite hatred.

Political parties are like clothes politicians wear to participate as required by the electoral laws but youths should come out enmasse to vote for only the candidate with a blueprint to develop the land and people of the state.

“We urge INEC to be totally neutral and adhere to its mandate to conduct a free and fair election.”