The Nigeria Police Force has pinpointed four local government areas in Bayelsa as being politically volatile, ahead of the forthcoming governorship election.

The Deputy Inspector-General of Police for the South-South zone, Daniel Sokari-Pedro, disclosed this information during a meeting with election stakeholders in Yenagoa. He emphasized the commitment of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to ensuring a fair and peaceful electoral process.

According to Sokari-Pedro, the three senatorial districts and the five local governments identified as violence-prone include Nembe, Southern Ijaw, Brass, Sagbama, and Kolokuma/Opokuma. He highlighted that nearly all local government areas are considered politically volatile in relation to the election.

The current governorship candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party, Governor Douye Diri, hails from Kolokuma/Opokuma LGA, while his All Progressives Congress counterpart, Timipre Sylva, is from Brass LGA.

Sokari-Pedro also conveyed a stern warning to troublemakers, particularly violent youths and their sponsors, to stay away from voting centers across the state. He assured that both the proxies and their identified principals would face severe consequences for any disruptive activities.

In preparation for the governorship polls, security personnel have been instructed to conduct a show of force in all local government areas 48 hours prior to election day. Sokari-Pedro firmly declared that any troublemakers apprehended during this period would be incapacitated for the duration of the election and subsequently prosecuted.

The chairman of the Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council, King Bubaraye Dakolo, expressed appreciation for the security measures put in place by the police authorities to prevent electoral violence and urged them to uphold their commitment. (Daily Independent)