Yenagoa—Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has emphasized the need for the south-south region to shun politics of violence.
A statement by his chief press secretary, Mr Daniel Alabrah, quoted the governor as saying that politics should be seen as a means to unify and not to divide or hate.
Governor Diri said this during a one-day zonal prayer summit organised by the south-south zone of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) at Saint Patrick Catholic Church, Ovom, Yenagoa.
He stressed the need for Christians to involve in politics as Jesus was not against politics.
He noted that democracy is not violent but rather a facilitator of development and added that the Niger Delta region should embrace politics of development.
The governor stressed the importance of unity among the people of the region, noting that m that greatness can only be achieved if the people were united.
Diri also made a case for the decision by the south-south governors to ban open grazing, saying that herders should not be allowed to use their business to destroy that of the farmers.
He appreciated the south-south zone of CAN for the prayer summit and urged the church not to relent in praying for the region and the country.
According to the governor: “Politics is about the welfare of people, which Jesus did. So we should not fight ourselves. There is no difference between the church and government.
“South-South is a blessed region. Let us pray that God will give us leaders that will see the potential and develop the region.
“If we cooperate, it will be difficult for any other region to beat us. It is not all about oil. South-South is rich in agric and other resources. But we need peace for investors to come in.
“A lot of times we are misunderstood. You can only contrast militancy to Boko Haram but you cannot compare them.
“If we are united as southerners, there are a lot of benefits. Our economy will boom as we have the potential. Ultimate power belongs to the people. Always look for alternative ways to call government to order rather than resort to protest as the first step to resolve issues.”
In his address, the CAN south-south zonal chairman, Archbishop Israel Ege, said the reason for the summit was to seek the face of God for the development of the region and country at large.
He commended the governor for his developmental efforts and prayed God to continue to bless him with the grace to serve people of the state.
