I Will Continue To Be Governor To Sylva, Eradiri, All Bayelsans – Diri

Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, has hailed his victory in the November 11 keenly-contested governorship election.

It was earlier reported that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced Diri, the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as the winner of the Bayelsa governorship election held last Saturday.

Naija News reports that the Returning Officer, Prof Faruq Kuta, who is also the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University Of Technology, Minna, announced Diri as the winner of the poll at the collation centre of the election on Monday.

He said Diri polled 175,196 to defeat his closest rival, Timipre Sylva of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who garnered 110,108 votes, while Udengs Eradiri of the Labour Party (LP) polled 905 votes.

Addressing the state on Monday after his declaration in Yenogoa, the state capital, Diri said he would be the people of the state irrespective of their parties and ethnicity.

He also commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for discharging its responsibility very creditably and ensuring that the votes of the people count.

Diri also hailed President Bola Tinubu for allowing a conducive environment for a free, fair, credible election in Bayelsa state. He also appreciated the people of the state for electing him for another four-year term.

He said: “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.

“This victory would not have been possible without the mighty hand and grace of the Almighty and the 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.

“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 governor appreciated security agencies for their professionalism and hard work in providing security during and after the election.

He also appreciated former President Goodluck Jonathan, and his predecessor, Senator Henry Dickson, for their unwavering and abiding support during the campaign.

“I want to specifically acknowledge and appreciate our leader, former President Goodluck Jonathan, for his unqualified support just as I thank my immediate predecessor in office, Sen. Henry Dickson, for his unwavering and abiding support.

“Our special appreciation also goes to our party leaders and my brother governors for their physical presence and invaluable moral support during this process,” Diri added.