Bayelsa Central and West Senatorial Bye Elections Free, Fair and Transparent – Diri

 The Bayelsa State governor, Senator Douye diri has described the December 5th Bayeksa Central and West Senatorial Districts Bye-Elections to have been universally adjudged free, fair and transparent. This was contained in a press statement issued by Justice Joffa, Director Strategic Communications and Documentation to the Governor of Bayelsa State.

The statement continued with a full text of the press briefing by Senator Douye Diri, governor of Bayelsa State on the outcome of the Bayelsa West and Central Senate bye-elections on Monday 7th December at Government House, Yenagoa.

The governor’s press briefing went thus;

“Fellow Bayelsans, the bye-elections for the Bayelsa Central and West Senate seats were held on Saturday, 5th December 2020, and the Independent National Electoral Commission has finalized the vote count. I had expressed the hope that not only will the security agencies allow voting to be unhindered, but that the INEC will count the votes and that the votes will count.

In what has been universally adjudged free, fair and transparent, by multiple independent observers, the INEC has declared our two candidates, my illustrious predecessor, the Rt. Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson and Moses Cleopas as winners of the elections.

By this outcome, voters have made a strong and unequivocal statement that they want to see a continuation of the dynamic and issue-oriented representation that my deputy governor, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, and I championed at the National Assembly. We cannot thank you enough for your trust and confidence in the PDP.

I wish to sincerely thank all Bayelsans, irrespective of their political persuasions for participating in a transparent and orderly electoral process. Indeed, I consider this an early Christmas present, not only because you overwhelmingly endorsed the two (2) outstanding candidates the PDP presented to you, but more importantly because, the vast majority of you conducted yourselves with decorum and the utmost sensitivity to the electoral protocol.

It is highly refreshing to note that for the first time, the electoral process in our state was largely peaceful and rancour free and I wish to thank the INEC, security agencies, and all stakeholders for lending their goodwill and respecting the will of the people.

We as a people are determined to evolve a nonviolent electioneering culture and I am glad we have risen to the occasion. It marks a watershed in Bayelsa State. Indeed, we did not only vote for candidates that will represent and present our concerns at NASS, we also voted for a system that allows the best of us to represent the rest of us. it was devoid of the bloodletting and brigandage that has sadly tarnished our democratic experience.

By this vote, the people have embraced our distinctive offer of progressive ideas and hopes for the future of the two senatorial districts. It is an emphatic endorsement for a united and prosperous Bayelsa I would therefore like to congratulate our two senators-elect and assure them that the people and government of the state will continue to support them to achieve our collective aspirations”.