Bayelsa Governor Warns Appointees Over Premature Politicking Ahead of 2027 Elections
"'You're Fired': Governor Diri Threatens to Dismiss Appointees for Discussing Early 2027 Matters'
In a stern warning to political appointees in his administration, Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, has called out those engaging in political maneuvers ahead of the 2027 general elections. sounding the alarm during the 162nd Executive Council meeting held at the Government House in Yenagoa on Wednesday, the governor expressed concern over the early political moves by some individuals.
Despite the absence of an official timetable from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Diri stressed that political ambition must align with INEC's official schedule. He clarified that while the right to contest for public office is guaranteed, it must wait for the official start of campaigns.
Addressing the council, he said, "I would like to advise politicians to follow the guidelines of political activities as enunciated by the Independent National Electoral Commission. Even the Bible tells us that there is time for everything. This is the time for governance, and we have started hearing public statements on radio about who was contesting for one office or the other."
The governor further warned that those contributing to unnecessary political tension should cease or resign their positions. He made it clear that any political appointee who goes on air to talk about 2027 politics will be sacked and that political appointees should refrain from politicking and wait for INEC's guidelines.
Diri also directed non-appointees to focus on meaningful endeavors that could contribute to the state's growth rather than engage in premature political campaigns, stating emphatically that "Elections are in 2027, but some want to play God when they do not even know if they will see 2027."
As for the official guidelines for political campaigning leading up to the 2027 general elections, they are primarily governed by the Electoral Act 2022, though specifics remain pending further announcements from INEC. The Closest we have now is the recommendation to transfer the power to appoint Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) from the President to INEC, renaming them State Directors of Elections and seeking to introduce electronically downloadable voter cards to replace physical PVCs.
However, organized campaigns before the 150-day window violate the law, and individual endorsements are not explicitly prohibited but emphasized by INEC as potentially unlawful. State leaders like Bayelsa Governor Douye Diri have issued directives warning appointees against early politicking, with threats of dismissal for violations. INEC, meanwhile, urges stakeholders to await the official timetable before engaging in campaigns, reiterating that governance priorities should not be overshadowed by premature political activities. In summary, though the Electoral Act 2022 provides a framework, INEC's specific 2027 guidelines will depend on its forthcoming schedule and potential legislative amendments.
- Governor Douye Diri, in a stern warning to his political appointees, called out those engaging in political maneuvers ahead of the 2027 elections.
- At the 162nd Executive Council meeting in Yenagoa, Diri warned that any political appointee who goes on air to talk about 2027 politics would be sacked.
- Addressing the council, Diri emphasized the importance of following the guidelines of political activities as enunciated by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
- The governor explained that while the right to contest for public office is guaranteed, it must wait for the official start of campaigns as per INEC's schedule.
- He also urged non-appointees to focus on meaningful endeavors that could contribute to the state's growth rather than engage in premature political campaigns.
- As for the official guidelines for political campaigning leading up to the 2027 elections, they are primarily governed by the Electoral Act 2022, though specifics remain pending further announcements from INEC.
