Former President Goodluck Jonathan has defended his decision to endorse Duoye Diri’s re-election bid in the November 11, 2023, off-season Bayelsa governorship polls.
According to The PUNCH, he stated this during a Thank-you visit from Diri and a high-powered delegation at his residence in Yenagoa.
He emphasized that the decision was justified by the overwhelming support Diri received from the majority of the state’s populace.
During the meeting, Patience Jonathan, the former President’s wife, was also present to welcome the governor and his entourage, as confirmed in a statement issued by Diri’s Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah.Diri, representing the Peoples Democratic Party, secured victory in the election by amassing 175,196 votes, triumphing over his closest rival, Timipre Sylva of the All Progressives Congress, who polled 110,108 votes.
Jonathan elucidated that his public endorsement of Diri’s candidacy stemmed from the governor’s exhibited visionary leadership in managing the state’s affairs.
He highlighted Diri’s developmental initiatives and credited him for fostering peace and stability within Bayelsa State, asserting that these efforts made the governor deserving of re-election.
The former president said, “I did what I did during the governorship election and I have no apologies to anybody because I know that the governor and his team were doing very well, especially in the area of peace and stability of the state. At a time, l became very worried.
“I have not said others did not do well. After all, I was also governor for a little less than one and a half years and also had my challenges.
“Since Diri came on board, the excesses of cult groups, particularly in Yenagoa, have reduced reasonably. If we must move forward, first and foremost, we must handle the issue of security in order to attract investors. I saw that the governor and his team have a vision and he needed to be encouraged to do another four-year term.”