Former President Goodluck Jonathan has congratulated Governor Douye Diri on his re-election as Bayelsa governor.
The former president said this in a statement shortly after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officially confirmed Diri’s victory.
INEC Returning Officer, Prof Faruq Kuta, who is also the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University Of Technology, Minna, announced Diri winner of Saturday’s poll at the collation centre of the election on Monday.
Kuta said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate polled 175,196 to defeat his closest rival, Timipre Sylva of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who garnered 110,108 votes while the Labour Party (LP) got 905 votes.
Reacting, Jonathan described Diri’s victory as “well-deserved”, saying it demonstrates the people’s faith in his leadership and a reward for years of commitment to peace, prosperity, and progress of Bayelsa.
“Your success confers on you more responsibilities, as the people have, through the ballot, entrusted you with hope and expectation for a better and prosperous future.
“I urge you to reciprocate this confidence reposed on you by the people through this mandate and work for the general good and progress of all Bayelsans, irrespective of political affiliation, senatorial district, clan or community,” he said.
The former president commend all the candidates for their participation in the just-concluded election and for their determination and passion to serve the people of Bayelsa.
“The victory of one candidate does not translate to a conquest of the other.
“This is a victory for all Bayelsans. I urge all stakeholders to put the interest of the state above personal and political interests. We must, at this time, unite and work towards building a better Bayelsa.
“My dear Governor, your re-election should consolidate the unity and progress of our dear Bayelsa State,” he said.
The former president urged INEC and other stakeholders to take seriously the issues of the off-cycle elections and work towards the improvement of the electoral system and sustainability of the nation’s democracy.