Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, on Thursday, showered praises on President Muhammadu Buhari for his signing of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill into law.
The governor noted that signing the bill was President Buhari’s greatest gift to Nigerians since 2015 because credible election provides the platform for the emergence of good leaders and good governance.
He said with the signing of the Electoral Act, President Buhari only demonstrated his desire to enthrone a thriving democratic system.
The Bayelsa governor stated this during the State Executive Council meeting at the Government House, Yenagoa, on Thursday.
According to Diri, with the signing of the very important bill, snatching of ballot boxes, thuggery, rigging and violence, which have been part of Nigeria’s elections have become a thing of the past.
The governor stressed that the Electoral Act had resolved the issues surrounding the conduct of credible elections in the country.
Diri reiterated his call on appointees interested in contesting elective offices to resign to pursue their aspirations or be sacked.
He said that though the appointees had the right to aspire for elective positions, he would not allow that to distract his government.
Governor Diri said, “I like to use today’s Executive Council meeting to acknowledge Mr President and thank him for signing the Electoral Act bill into law.
“That has been the bane of our democracy. Elections are the basis of having good governance, of selecting good leaders, and Mr President has demonstrated that he wants democracy to thrive in Nigeria by signing the bill.
“So, on behalf of the Deputy Governor and indeed Bayelsa State, we appreciate Mr President for giving assent to that bill.
“If there is one gift that Mr President has given to Nigeria in his whole eight years, this is it.
“We are in a political year and the music has started. The drums are all on. Let me again advise all of us, both members of the state executive council and other appointees, that if you have political ambition, please put in your resignation.
He added, “By the Act, ministers, commissioners or appointees that want to contest have to resign six months to the primaries. That is because you will be distracted if that is what you want to do and the office will suffer.
“If you want to occupy any of these offices, fair and good. Ambition is everybody’s right but do not let our work to suffer, and we will not be pushed to sack any member of cabinet who has worked very well for this government.”