Former President, Goodluck Jonathan, has expressed his support for Governor Douye Diri’s re-election bid in the Bayelsa State governorship election that will take place on Saturday, November 11.
According to a statement by the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Daniel Alabrah, on Tuesday, Jonathan praised Diri for his achievements in security and infrastructure in the state.
He said he had been following Diri’s activities and believed he deserved to complete a second term in office.
Jonathan made these remarks when he received a delegation of the Peoples Democratic Party Bayelsa National Governorship Campaign Council, which included governors, former governors, National Assembly members and other stakeholders of the party, at his residence in Yenagoa. The delegation was in the state for the final rally of Diri’s campaign.
Jonathan said, “I have been in touch with our governor and I believe he should be encouraged to do his eight years. He has been able to stabilise the state.
“Let us find a standard way of doing things. We cannot kill ourselves; we do not want a crisis. I thank you all for what you are doing. While we struggle for leadership, we must have a country.”
On the other hand, the national leaders of the PDP, serving governors and National Assembly members of the party also urged the people of Bayelsa to vote for Diri and his running mate, Lawrence Ehwrudjakpo, in the Saturday poll.
They said Diri and Ehwrudjakpo had performed well and should be given another chance to continue their good work. They also called on the electoral commission and the security agencies to ensure a fair and credible election.
The acting National Chairman of the PDP, Umar Damagum, officially presented the party’s flag to Diri as the governorship candidate of the party at the grand finale of the PDP campaigns held at the Ox-Bow Lake Pavilion in Yenagoa.
Meanwhile, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Timipre Sylva, also intensified his campaign as he visited Biseni, where he was warmly welcomed by the residents.
The spokesman of the clan, Ayaye Obuma, said the area had suffered neglect since Sylva left office and they wanted him back.
