Bayelsa guber: Women condemn violence, seek peaceful election

The Bayelsa Women Arise Organisation, yesterday, condemned election violence, urging President Bola Tinubu and the security agencies to ensure a peaceful governorship election in Bayelsa State on November 11. 

The women also called for justice for victims of previous election-related violence in the state. The women and youths, led by community and civil society leaders, gathered in Yenagoa, the state capital, to embark on the peace walk. 

The event was marked by a display of solidarity, resilience, and a strong commitment to a peaceful, as well as just electoral process in the state.

During the walk, participants held banners and placards with messages such as ‘Peaceful Elections for Bayelsa,’ ‘Justice For Victims,’ And ‘Stop Election Violence.’ They chanted slogans calling for an end to electoral turmoil that has plagued the state in the past.

The leader of the women, Prof. Faith Aminikpo, said they were tired of witnessing violence during elections.  She said: “We, the women of Bayelsa, are taking a stand for peace. We demand that the upcoming governorship election on November 11 should be conducted without violence.

“We have seen the suffering and pain caused by election-related violence, and we refuse to accept this as the norm. We cannot quickly forget victims of previous election violence that has been witnessed in our state, particularly in 2015 and 2019 governorship elections.

“Today, we are yet to get justice for victims of the mindless killing by desperate politician and their thugs, including those of Simon Otor in Ekeremor Local Council, Abule of Southern Ijaw Local Council, Philip Ochikya, Menoze Peter in Yenagoa, ThankGod Michael, Isaac Gift, among many others.”