.Appeals to losers in APC, PDP for peace
By Amos Odeh
Niger Delta Youth Coalition for Peace and Progress (NDYCPP), has appealed to losers in the Bayelsa State governorship primaries in the dominant political parties to exercise restraint.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) elected Senator Douye Diri among 21 aspirants that sought the ticket, while the All Progressives Congress (APC) elected David Lyon to fly the flag of the party among six others.
The group noted that the intervention of the leaders of the two dominant political parties by way of extending an olive branch to aggrieved political leaders was fundamental to maintaining the peace.
In a statement in Yenagoa by Pastor Olayinka Tiedor, the National President of NDYCPP, the group advised the political leaders from the region not to allow tempers to rise further, and take steps to calm frayed nerves.
“We appeal both to Chief Timi Alaibe and Sen. Heinekin Lokpobiri to exhibit a very high sense of statesmanship, tolerance, sacrifice and sportsmanship on the outcome of their parties’ primaries despite obvious and genuine concerns raised on how things went.
“We equally appeal to the leadership of both PDP and APC to be magnanimous in victory by reaching out quickly to their aggrieved leaders and members, especially the frontline figures like Chief Timi Alaibe and Sen. Heinekin Lokpobiri.
“They command huge followership and have expended enormous resources from the onset to now to be talked to; on how their interests would be accommodated.
“The winner takes it all syndrome would not augur well for the system, it has always breed acrimony and rancour in our chequered political culture.
“We as well appeal to all aggrieved members in both parties, PDP and APC, to shield their swords and toe the path of harmonies engagements and dialogue to resolve whatever grievances they have,” NDYCPP stated.
The group urged the winners of both PDP and APC party primaries, Sen. Douye Diri of PDP and David Lyon of APC, respectively, to spread the message of peace and non-violence ahead the Nov 16 governorship poll.
