Breaking: 13th Niger Delta Dialogue Holds In Yenagoa

Breaking: 13th Niger Delta Dialogue Holds In Yenagoa

Clement Ovokeroye Paul

The 13th Niger Delta Dialogue, tagged “Building Trust And Recovering Spaces For Nonviolent Elections In Bayelsa State” have been held in Yenagoa the Capital of Bayelsa State. The event was aimed at engaging the people of Niger Delta, particularly Bayelsa State, on the need to have a violent free elections, before, during and the forthcoming Governorship election in the State.

The two days long event which held between 9-10 July, 2019, at the Lady Daima Event Place, 30 Osiri Road Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, X-rayed the major elements causing violence during elections in the region; with acknowledge that elections in Niger Delta have been fraught with high level of violence; resulting into killings, intimidation, and further militarisation of the region.

In the cause of the dialogue various speakers, ranging from aspirants in the forthcoming 2019 Bayelsa State governorship election, community leaders, representatives of the security agencies, women groups, youth leaders, the media, religion leaders, Ijaw Youth Council, PANDEF, INC, and the likes, mentioned “scenario of conflicts and mistrust” igniting violence during elections in their localities.

The women of Odenwari in Bayelsa State, Ogu/Bolo, Okrika (Gallant-5) and Abonnema shared their experiences on how violence had claimed lives in their areas during previous elections, and how they were able to ensure peace in subsequent polls by engaging critical stakeholders and mobilizing other women I’m the communities. More so, they urge women and all critical stakeholders to synergise, targeting a violent free elections in Bayelsa State.

To cross fertilize ideas toward achieving a violent free elections in Bayelsa State, syndicate groups/ persons of same interests clustered to discuss: how women and youths can be organized/ mobilised for actions against violence; engaging critical stakeholders – Who, Why, How and When; Promoting peace: a post-election action plan; engaging the media on conflict sensitive reporting and the need for strong voice for inclusive governance in a post-election setting.

The 13th Niger Delta Dialogue, was well attended by the former President of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, the President Of The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Oweilaemi Pereotubo, Amb. Boladei Igali, Chief Nengi James, Chief TK Ogoriba, Hight Chief Sara Igbe, Clement Ovokeroye Paul and other personalities of the Niger Delta Region.

The event was sponsored by the European Union, coordinated by Chief Dr. Judith Burdin Asuni.

Bight News