Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has advised politicians to respect their opponents and ensure that campaigns for the 2027 general election are issue-based.

Speaking on Wednesday during the flag-off of the second tenure bid of President Bola Tinubu at the Oxbow Lake in Yenagoa by a political group, PBAT Door to Door Movement, Diri stated that the charge was against the backdrop of the commencement of campaigns for next year’s elections.

The Bayelsa governor urged members of the group to emulate Tinubu, whom he described as a democrat, by being persuasive rather than combative with those who hold contrary opinions, insisting that democracy encourages people to hold divergent views.

He expressed optimism that the South-South geo-political zone and Nigerians will re-elect Tinubu.

He hailed the grand patron of the movement, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, for the initiative, stressing that the president deserved a second term to enable him to consolidate on the gains of his first tenure.

He contended that Tinubu was laying a solid foundation for the development of Nigeria beyond his tenure and urged Nigerians to support him in the interest of national development.

He recalled how the president ensured a free and fair election during his second tenure governorship bid in November 2023 and in last Saturday’s governorship poll in Osun State, stressing that Tinubu’s democratic credentials were not in doubt.

Diri also congratulated his Osun counterpart, Adeleke, on his victory in the election.

His words: “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.

“While we hold the firm conviction that the South-South people and Nigerians will vote for Mr. President, we must not sit down. We are all students of politics, and politics is a game of numbers. Victory is not by accident.

“Even outside Nigeria, people move from door to door, and that is why this movement is democratic. Democracy is about plurality of decisions. Do not make those who hold different opinions as enemies. Wherever you go, and people disagree with you, try to convince them. Do not see them as enemies.

“As a region, we are one people and must all work together to achieve the aim of this movement. Mr President is a democrat, and he has proved it time and again, even during my second tenure election when I was in the opposition and most recently in Osun State. Let me congratulate my brother, the Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke.

“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 a 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 in projecting Nigeria.

“Let me acknowledge my dear brother, Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, who is giving back. He is our proud son and brother of this zone. I acknowledge his contributions to the re-election bid of Mr. President.”

Chairman of the event, Chief Lambert Ototo, said Tinubu has done well and will do better if re-elected.

In his remarks, South South Coordinator of the PBAT Door to Door Movement, Pastor Reuben Wilson, expressed appreciation to zonal state coordinators and those who contributed to the success of the event.

He said the movement was formed by Tompolo Ekpemupolo to galvanise support for Tinubu, who he maintained deserved the support of people of the region based on the love he has shown in terms of appointments and projects.

Speaking on behalf of state coordinators in the region, the Bayelsa State Coordinator, Hon. Daniel Charles, said the zone was united for Tinubu’s re-election.

Also, chairman of the state All Progressives Congress, Warman Ogoriba, said the South-South was known for following through on issues on a united front, pledging that the President will record an unprecedented number of votes from the region.

Ogoriba charged the coordinators and members of the movement not to rest on their achievements but to work until Tinubu is re-elected.