By Mathew Dadiya
Ahead of the November 11 Bayelsa State governorship election, the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has appealed to all the candidates to adhere to the principles of peaceful coexistence with a commitment to tolerance, mutual respect, and agreement to resolve possible conflicts without recourse to violence before, during and after the election.
Chairman of Good Governance Committee of PFN, Bayelsa State chapter, Apostle, Dr. Gaius Timiebi Kiyaramo made the appeal when the governorship candidate of the All Progressive Congress Party (APC), Chief Timipere Sylva, and his running mate Joshua Maciver met with the committee in Yenagoa, the capital of the state.
Apostle Kiyaramo reiterated that peaceful coexistence among Bayelsans would provide the needed pause from violence and serve as a springboard to making the people stronger and more respectful in their inter-group relationships.
Kiyaramo, who doubles as PFN South-Southal Director of Agriculture and Empowerment Directorate, called on the candidates to demonstrate maturity, harmony, tranquility, calmness, love, forgiveness, friendship, understanding, tolerance, unity, to maintain and order during the electioneering campaigns, adding that, “as people who share same history, struggles, traditions, institutions and cultural orientation, we cannot afford to tear ourselves apart because of election”.
He explained that the PFN Good Governance Committee was saddled with the responsibility of interfacing with all candidates in the forthcoming November 11 governorship election in the state, informing that PFN as a body is non-partisan in the poll and therefore, has not endorsed any of the candidate.
He noted that the committee has taken it upon itself to interface with all candidates with to ensure political parties abide by rules of the game and tow the path of nonviolence and avoid destruction of lives and properties before, during and after the election.
“We insist that all candidates must adopt the spirit of good sportsmanship and conduct themselves peacefully before, during, and, after the election.
“We advise that everyone seeking to take up a leadership position in the state should canvas the votes from the electorates by presenting their manifestos and plan of action that will create jobs and alleviate poverty practically.
“If any candidate lies or deceives Bayelsans, such candidates are equally lying to themselves. Remember that the day we will die, we shall all be buried in Bayelsa state.
“Bring solution, progress, and realistic programs in areas on agriculture, human capital development, electricity generation and distribution, and other areas to grow the Bayelsa economy and not to instigate hatred, division, trouble, wars, and, destruction which will bring about backwardness. Every responsible government must think of private public partnership with the church.
“We implore all candidates to make conscious efforts to de-emphasis what divides us and seek ice and forgiveness, build/rebuild our communities, and explore ways to structure Governance in such a way that beneficial communities embody fairness, justice, and equity.
“Candidates should ensure that political relationships are characterized by the recognition and respect for diversity and actively embrace our differences to allow equal access to resources and opportunities, and equity in all aspects of life and to foster peace and social cohesion based on justice, equality, inclusion, and equity”, Apostle Kiyaramo reiterated.
In his remarks, the All Progressive Congress (APC) candidate, Chief Timipre Sylva presented a six-point point development agenda to the PFN Committee on Good Governance, focusing on human capital development, infrastructure development, establishment of natural gas hub and investment options in Bayelsa, agricultural development, power (electricity generation) and security.
Chief Sylva assured that having undergone what he described as an incubation process in good governance, he is better placed for better performance when elected as governor of Bayelsa State, come November 11.
The APC Candidate was accompanied by the state party chairman, Barr. Dennis Otiotio and other top parties during the interface visit.
