Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri has canvassed for legislation to check the menace of vote-buying as part of measures to safeguard the country’s electoral system.
Senator Diri stated this on Tuesday at his country home, Sampou, in Kolokuma/Opokuma local government area when his predecessor and Senator representing Bayelsa West, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, paid him a visit to formally congratulate him on his re-election for a second term.
The governor condemned the act of vote-buying, describing the development as part of the country’s electoral process that was faulty.
He called on stakeholders to work collectively in addressing the menace in order to prevent politicians that do not mean well for the state to hijack the process.
“For me, that is part of our electoral process that is very faulty. I like to urge our leaders, especially those that are in the National Assembly, to propose a bill that can solve this problem of vote-buying because it is becoming a very big problem here in Bayelsa State.
“So we all need to put our minds together to see how we can address this issue because that is the only way we can prevent politicians who do not mean well for the state from having access to political power.”
Dickson who led a delegation of the Bayelsa West Senatorial District to congratulate Diri on his well-deserved victory pointed out that that in securing a second term, the governor has four more years of stability to consolidate on his development agenda for the state.
According to Dickson, “just as the people of Sagbama-Ekeremor senatorial district supported you in 2019 election, they did it again this time and they are still assuring you of their support in this fresh mandate.
“There is high expectations from the people and we know and trust that you will bring it about. You have taken the road to Ekeremor and we also expect that you will start the road to Agge. Power means nothing if it does not bring about development, peace and prosperity.”
