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The Story of BAYELSA Guber Elections
The Off-circle Bayelsa State Governorship election has come and gone but the roles played by former President Goodluck Jonathan and former Governor now Senator Seriake Henry Dickson cannot be overlooked. The duo contributed immensely to the victory of Peoples Democratic Party-PDP in the election. Prior to the D-day, former President Jonathan during the electioneering campaign made his stand open in supporting the incumbent Governor’s re-election urging Bayelsians to go out and vote for Governor Senator Duoye Diri. As a former President of Nigeria who is now an international public figure who still commands much respect among his people of Izon ethnic nationality especially in Bayelsa State and environs. Consultations and political horse trading were fully undertaken where it was agreed that Ogbia Local Government Area where President Jonathan hails from should produce the next Governor of Bayelsa State. This is in favour of the former President who never interfered with the zoning arrangement of his party in the state.
And for Sagbama Local Government Area where former Governor Seriake Henry Dickson hails from, it has very significant voting population density in Bayelsa State and votes coming from Sagbama LGA make bold statements in the collation of electoral results.
In his broadcast after being declared winner of the off-circle Governorship election in Bayelsa State Senator Duoye Diri acknowledged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s role in ensuring a free and fair election that took place on Saturday 11th of November, 2023. “I want to place on record our gratitude to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu for allowing the conducive environment for what has been a free, fair and credible election, “ he said. The Governor also paid great tribute to the good people of Bayelsa state as he said “The victory would not have been possible without the mighty hand and grace of the Almighty and overwhelming support you have shown towards me and my government of prosperity. I am deeply humbled by your overwhelming expression of confidence and by your mandate to serve you for another four years.
“I want to express my heartfelt appreciation to everyone that cast your vote in my favour and entrusted me with the responsibility of leading our beloved state. The collective will of a people united towards progress and a better future. Even those who cast their votes differently enriched our democratic practice by their participation and dissent. I reaffirm that I will continue to be the Governor of all in Bayelsa.”
The elated re-elected Governor acknowledged the role played by the Independent electoral Commission-INEC officials who upon intimidation and use of pockets of violence in few Polling Units across the riverine communities where his main rival former Governor and former Minister of State For Petroleum Resources High Chief Timipre Sylva and current Minister of State For Petroleum Senator Heineken Lokpobiri come from. Governor Diri said “I want to specially acknowledge and appreciate our leader, former President Goodluck Jonathan, for his unwavering support just a s I thank my immediate predecessor in office, Senator Henry Dickson, for his unwavering and abiding support. Our special appreciation goes to our party leaders and my brother governors for their physical presence and invaluable moral support during this process.”
Given the level of violence in the Nembe -Bassiamabiri communities which led to loss of lives and injuries to some citizens Governor Diri paid tribute to them saying “In this moment, I offer my deepest condolences to the individuals and families that have suffered from brutal attacks, loss of life, injuries and harassment during this off-circle election.”
The effective return of Governor Diri for the second term in office is an affirmation of his 2019 miracle entry into CREEK HAVEN as executive Governor due to the disqualification by Supreme Court of the eventual winner David Lyon of All Progressives Congress due to discrepancies found in the academic credentials of his running mate in the joint ticket according to 1999 constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.
