…Accord concedes defeat, as LP, SDP, three others reject election outcome
…Diri promises inclusive governance, hails Tinubu
…PDP Governors congratulate Diri, says victory validation for good governance in first term
Political Parties who participated in the just concluded Governorship polls in Bayelsa State have kicked against the results released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declaring Governor Diri winner of the election.
Diri polled 175,196 votes to defeat his closest rival, a former Minister of State for Petroleum and former Governor of the State, Timpire Sylva who polled 110,108 votes. The Labour Party (LP) scored a total of 905 votes to come a distant third.
Following the pronouncement of Diri as winner, the Accord Party in Bayelsa State has conceded defeat to Governor Diri.
Barrister Warmate Idikio who was the candidate of the party in the election lauded the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC over the conduct of the poll which he described as peaceful.
According to him, “The election was very peaceful all over the state except in known flashpoints, especially Nembe-Bassambiri and Brass, where there have been controversies over the voting process and results emanating from the process.
“The credibility of the entire election should not be impugned by these controversies that are both expected and avoidable.”
On the contrary, the Labour Party (LP), Social Democratic Party (SDP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), National Rescue Movement (NRM), and the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) have rejected the results of the November 11 governorship elections.
Addressing a joint news conference in Yenagoa shortly after the winner was declared, the political parties represented by the parties’ state chairmen and state party collation agents, said the election was marred by bypassing of Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) cancellation of results already uploaded on the IREV, and other alleged irregularities.
Those who addressed the conference include, LP State Collation Centre Party Agent, Dr Charles Oyibo, State Chairman of SDP, Allen Domotimi, State Chairman of NNPP, Dr. Joel Tubonimi, Collation Centre Agent of NRM, Chief William Parker, and State Chairman of PRP, Okala Azibola.
The aggrieved party chieftains called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to review the outcome of the elections, noting that the number of cancelled votes is bigger than the difference between the winner and the runner-up.
…Diri promises inclusive governance, hails Tinubu
Meanwhile, Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has promised an inclusive government for the state irrespective of party affiliations.
He gave the assurance while addressing journalists in Government House, Yenagoa, the state capital, shortly after he was declared as winner of the state governorship election.
Diri said the people of Bayelsa State were too few to be divided by politics or tribe.
According to the Governor, “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.
“I am also immensely grateful to the leadership of our great party, PDP, at all levels and our dedicated campaign team and supporters, who worked tirelessly to spread our message of progress and unity throughout Bayelsa State.
“Your unwavering belief in our vision for prosperity and your relentless efforts have brought us this sweet victory.
“However, I urge you all to celebrate with temperance, as this victory is not the exclusive preserve of any one political party. Rather, it is 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 State.”
The Governor also thanked President Bola Tinubu for allowing the conducive environment for a free, fair and credible poll.
He lauded the role of the security agencies for their professionalism and hard work in providing security for the exercise and the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for discharging their responsibility creditably.
“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, 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.
“In no particular order, I thank former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State. Governors Agbu Kefas of Taraba State, Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State, Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State, Godwin Obaseki of Edo State, Seyi Makinde of Oyo State and former Governor Nyesom Wike.
“As I stated in my inauguration speech, where there is darkness, let us bring light. Where there is hatred, let us bring love. We are too few a people to be polarised and fractionalised along political, clan or other primordial ranks.
“My determination in fostering unity and inclusivity as we strive to achieve the shared goals and aspirations of our people is undiminished.
“I eagerly look forward to collaborating with each and every one of you to create a brighter future for Bayelsa.”
…PDP Governors congratulate Diri, say victory validation for good governance in first term
Governors under the PDP Governors’ Forum have congratulated Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, on his re-election.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Director General of the Forum, Hon CID Maduabum, in Abuja, on Monday.
The Governors said, “The Forum believes that good stewardship by the Governor in his first term in office won the people’s votes. It was a well-fought and well-deserved victory.
“A victory and validation for hard work, good governance engendered by enthroning a culture of peaceful coexistence, unity, progressive and people-oriented, and people drove agenda.
“PDP–GF commends Governor Diri for his fair-mindedness and even spread of infrastructural projects to all sections and segments of the State in his first term.
“The Forum also notes the Governor’s peace initiatives across the State and party immediately on assumption of office in 2019, which created the enabling environment for his developmental projects and programmes to thrive.
“We are confident that Senator Diri would continue to deliver life-changing dividends of democracy to the indigenes and residents of the State, who affirmed their choice by voting for him again at the polls.
“We commend the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, for ensuring the integrity of the election through the proper usage of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) in instilling public confidence in the electoral process.
“The Forum urges the Bayelsa Governor to continue his famed magnanimity in victory.
“The Forum expresses its heartfelt appreciation to all PDP Governors for the massive backing to Governor Diri before and on the day of the election.
“The Forum was indeed represented on the ground by the physical presence in the State in solidarity, led by the Chairman PDP Bayelsa Presidential Campaign Council, Gov. Kefas Agbu of Taraba State, Governors Oborevwori of Delta State, Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State, Godwin Obaseki of Edo State and under the general direction of Governor Bala Mohammed, the Forum Chairman.
“The Forum expresses its heartfelt appreciation to the great people of Bayelsa State for taking their destiny in their hands by their massive support for their beloved son at the election.”