Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has alleged that some members of the opposition are planning to stockpile arms as part of their preparations for the November 11 governorship election.
He spoke at the ‘Unveiling of a New Media Campaign for Promoting Projects and Programmes Commemorating 2023 World Social Media Day/Launch of Prosperity 2.0’ with the theme, ‘The New Media Paradigm: A New Gateway to Prosperity’.
The governor who said he was confident of victory in the forthcoming election, charged the social media personnel to operate within the rules.
He said, "This government's intention is actually to unite the people of Bayelsa State. Where they bring darkness, we give them light. Where they bring hatred, we give them love.
"We are hearing that some people want to pile up arms for November 11th. We will not pile up arms. Those arms will be piled up and they will never be used.
"We don't want the innocent blood of our people, no matter how lowly placed because we want to be governor. No!
"Let our suffering women and youths be brought out of poverty and not take advantage of their suffering and use them as thugs. No. Let Bayelsa State become a state of peace and unity, a state that people will like to come in to even be citizens of Bayelsa State.
"I urge social media users to be authentic. There are too many lies, half-truths and prevarication in social media, and I don't want you as government practitioners to also be in that group. There is so much fake news in social media, and I know you are not part of those peddling it.
“Let us refrain from hate and cyberbullying. As social media aides, as you work for the government and people of Bayelsa State, we will continue to keep our eyes on you. I want to thank you profusely for all you are doing to promote our government, and I like to urge you to do more.
“This has been a very good session, and whilst we are yet to commence the formal campaigns with what we have unveiled today, I release you to now start the social media campaigns for your government and for the people of Bayelsa State.
“This government is not involved in drugs, but it is fighting drugs, this government is not involved in youth restiveness but wants to empower our youths, this government is not saying that the road to Brass is of no economic value, but it is constructing the road to Brass, this government wants to make sure that our living standards as Bayelsans are improved.
“For us, you are the foot soldiers, and don't keep quiet when your government is being misrepresented," Diri said.
Also speaking, Kola Oredipe, the director of new media, in his remarks said that the media remains the most powerful tool for mobilisation.
He said it is a vehicle to showcase government projects, policies and programmes.
He said, "So far we have showcased the programmes and projects of the government. We have planned to intensify our publicity.
"The prosperity government is making impacts in every sector of the state and of course our projects are lined up in all the communities.
“We shall be telling the people why the prosperity government needs a second tenure. We need to set agenda for continuity hence the media campaign called prosperity 2.0".