The Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, has cautioned political actors to desist from character assassination and blackmail in their quest for power in the state, as political activities for the 2023 general elections intensify.
Diri said it was appalling how some politicians in the state had resorted to maligning the character of opposition party contestants and members in the guise of political campaigns.
He spoke during the service of songs in honour of late Mama Bebeapere Agbedi, mother of the member representing Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Fred Agbedi, at the Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha Memorial Banquet Hall in Yenagoa.
The governor, in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, said elections would come and go but the people would remain brothers and sisters.
According to him, the best path to living a long and fulfilled life was showing love and appreciation for one another.
He emphasised that as long as power comes only from God, nobody could overturn what had been divinely ordained for the state.
Diri said, “Political times are here and there is so much in the air – propaganda, lies and blackmails. You do not know which one to believe anymore. That was not the kind of life mama lived.
“The fact you want a political office should not make you to malign the character of another person. Elections will come and go, as I always say, but we will all remain brothers and sisters.
“For me, the best path to tread and best way towards living the kind of life that we are celebrating today is to continue to show love and appreciation. No matter who is blocking it, when God says this is yours, nobody can stop it.”
While extolling the virtues of the matriarch who lived 111 years, he described her as a quintessential woman, who made a lot of sacrifice for mankind.
In a sermon titled, ‘A Good Name’, the coordinating pastor, Bishop Dotimi Egbegi, said for one to be spoken well off after death, the individual must have a good name while alive.
He noted that people could only amend their ways while alive and by living for others in order to bequeath legacies that cannot be altered.
Giving a testimony about his mother, Agbedi said she instilled discipline in him and his siblings as well as investing meaningfully in their educational advancements.
The House of Reps member described his late mother as a principled but humble woman, a trait that he said is also found in him.
He thanked the governor for demonstrating love and support towards him and his family by his presence at the event to honour their matriarch.
Also present at the solemn gathering were the Deputy Governor, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, past and serving members and colleagues of the reps member from the National Assembly, state legislators, chairman of the state Peoples Democratic Party, Solomon Agwana, members of the state executive council, politicians from different political parties as well as top government functionaries and members of the clergy.
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