By Oyintokoni Joel , Yenagoa
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has declared that politics in Nigeria is gradually shifting from violence and intimidation to knowledge-based engagement, commending the City Boy Movement for leading the paradigm shift.
Speaking during the State Working Committee Retreat of the City Boy Movement, CBM, in Yenagoa, Governor Diri said the era of using guns to win elections was giving way to issue-based politics and strategic mobilization.
“The use of guns and intimidation is giving way to knowledge-based electoral process and I commend the City Boy Movement for this. We are not animals and we do not need to be flogged before we move. I am happy that gradually our politics is changing for the better,” he said.
The governor reaffirmed his support for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027, stating that the President deserved Bayelsa’s backing for his intervention in the state’s development.
He recalled that President Tinubu approved the second phase of the Nembe-Brass road and granted waivers for the state’s imported gas turbines.
“President Tinubu has supported the development of Bayelsa State and deserves the support of the people. He responded swiftly to the request for the second phase of the Nembe-Brass road and also gave us waivers for the gas turbines,” Diri stated.
Describing himself as an advocate of restructuring, the governor said democracy thrives only on justice and fairness, and that Tinubu was the right man to drive the process. He cited state policing as one of the President’s bold reforms.
“I am an advocate of restructuring and President Tinubu is doing things that people had not succeeded in doing such as state policing. For us in Bayelsa, we want to control our resources and pay tax to the centre and I believe that if we must achieve that, this President is one we must follow,” he added.
On party structure, Diri emphasized that all support groups must work with the APC.
“All of the various support groups must know that the party structure is the number one structure and I am happy that the City Boy Movement is working with the party. In this state, APC is a no-go area. Our chances of winning the 2027 election is very high,” he declared.
In his welcome address, Bayelsa State Director of the City Boy Movement, High Chief Osomkime Blankson, said the retreat was to strategize for President Tinubu’s re-election based on his performance and achievements.
“We must go to the creeks, go to every part of this state to ensure we preach the gospel to the people that are not aware of the policies the President has for Nigeria,” he said.
He noted that the movement has established structures down to ward and unit levels and urged youths to register to benefit from upcoming empowerment programs.
“If you are not registered you can’t benefit. But if you are registered, you will benefit. The essence is to reach the ordinary man that has not been reached. That is the gap we are taking,” he stated.
Reaffirming alignment with the APC, Blankson said: “City Boy is APC. The Governor is the leader of the party in Bayelsa. All our activities are done under his supervision and with his consent.”
Also speaking, the Director-General of the City Boy Movement, Mr. Francis Shoga, described President Tinubu as a courageous leader who has taken painful but beneficial decisions. He said the movement would take the achievements of the administration to the grassroots.
He expressed optimism that Bayelsa would contribute significantly to the movement’s national target of 10 million members, translating to 10 million votes for Tinubu.
“Yes, we understand there is pain. But there is no gain without pain. This is for the good of our future,” Shoga said, adding that the President’s reforms need time to crystallize for Nigerians and future generations.
