Speaking during the state executive council meeting in Yenagoa on Thursday, Diri praised the president for signing the amended Electoral Act Bill into law, stating that the days of ballot box snatching, rigging, political thuggery, and violence were gone as the electoral law has made provisions on how modern elections should be conducted.

    Diri, who urged politicians in the state eyeing elective offices not to heat up the polity but rather quietly embark on consultation with their political leaders, said they have the constitutional right to vie for any political office. Daniel Alabrah, Chief Press Secretary to Governor Diri, quoted him as saying that signing the bill was a demonstration that the president wants democracy to thrive in the country.