…As PBAT Movement Flags Off Tinubu’s Second-Term Campaign in South-South
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has called on politicians preparing for the 2027 general elections to embrace issue-based campaigns and shun personal attacks.
Diri made the call on Wednesday at the Oxbow Lake Pavilion, Yenagoa, during the flag-off of the South-South campaign of the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement in support of President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.
The governor urged members of the movement to adopt a persuasive approach in their political engagements, stressing that democracy thrives on divergent views and constructive debate.
“As students of politics, we know that politics is a game of numbers. Victory is not by accident. Do not make those who disagree with you your enemies. Convince them,” he said.
Diri expressed confidence that the South-South geopolitical zone and Nigerians would support Tinubu for a second term, saying the President deserved the opportunity to consolidate on the gains of his administration.
He commended the grand patron of the movement, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, for initiating the campaign organisation, describing Tinubu as a democrat.
The governor cited the 2023 Bayelsa governorship election and the recent governorship election in Osun State as evidence of the President’s commitment to democratic processes.
“Mr. President proved it during my second tenure election when I was in the opposition, and most recently in Osun State,” Diri said.
He also congratulated Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, on his victory.
Diri charged the leadership of the PBAT movement to make its activities inclusive and persuasive, while ensuring that its campaign messages focused on issues affecting Nigerians.
According to him, the Renewed Hope Agenda remains a work in progress and requires continuity for the country to derive the full benefits of the administration’s programmes.
“The purpose of our gathering today is to restate without equivocation our unflinching loyalty to the re-election of President Tinubu and to flag off the South-South zone of the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement.
“I charge the leadership of the PBAT Movement to be inclusive and persuasive in your engagements. Let our campaigns be issue-based.
“The Renewed Hope Agenda is work in progress to make Nigeria better. Our message to the South-South and the country is to give Mr. President a second term to consolidate on his achievements. The South-South zone is critical to Project Nigeria,” he said.
Earlier, the chairman of the event, Chief Lambert Ototo, said Tinubu had performed well in office and would achieve more if given a second term.
The South-South Coordinator of the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement, Pastor Reuben Wilson, said the group was established by Ekpemupolo to mobilise support for the President across the region.
Wilson attributed the movement’s support for Tinubu to what he described as the President’s appointments and developmental projects across the South-South.
Also speaking, the Bayelsa State Coordinator of the movement, Hon. Daniel Charles, said the zone was united in support of Tinubu’s re-election.
The Bayelsa State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Hon. Warman Ogoriba, pledged that the South-South would deliver an unprecedented number of votes for Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
Ogoriba urged members and coordinators of the movement to sustain their mobilisation efforts until the election.
