‘You’ll be sacked’ — Diri warns appointees against early 2027 campaigns

Douye Diri, governor of Bayelsa, has cautioned his appointees against engaging in political activities ahead of the 2027 elections.

Diri spoke on Wednesday during the executive council meeting held at the Government House in Yenagoa.

He said any appointee found participating in early politicking would be removed from office.

The governor expressed concern over rising political statements on radio, stressing that governance must not be compromised.

“I would like to advise politicians to follow the guidelines of political activities as enunciated by the Independent National Electoral Commission,” he said.

“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.”

Diri said anyone eager to campaign ahead of time should first quit their appointment.

“I advise all of us to refrain from politicking and wait for INEC’s guidelines, particularly for political appointees. If you want to heat up the polity, please resign,” he said.

“Going forward, any political appointee that goes on air to talk about 2027 politics will be sacked.”

The Bayelsa governor warned that public political commentary by any appointee, if reported to him, would lead to immediate dismissal.

“Any political appointee, no matter his office, who goes on air or does political activities when it is not yet time and it is brought to my knowledge, consider yourself sacked,” he said.

He advised non-appointees to channel their energy into ventures that would support economic growth in the state.

“For non-appointees, please look for other economic activities that will bring development to our dear state. We cannot as a state be doing politics from January to December every year,” he said.

Diri said it was premature for anyone to assume “divine authority” over the 2027 elections.

“Elections are in 2027 but some want to play God when they do not even know if they will see 2027. I am not praying for anybody’s death,” he said.

He also reminded those with political ambitions to respect the rule of law and wait for the appropriate timetable.

“Those who want to take whatever offices, please there is law and order in this country. There is a timetable for political activities to commence,” he said.

The governor warned that henceforth, social media posts containing political messages by appointees would attract consequences.

“As a political appointee, that has to stop today. Everybody is put on notice that if any of those social media political comments are seen, action will be taken,” he added.