Minutes after he was declared winner of the governorship poll in Bayelsa State, the incumbent Governor and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the race, Seriake Dickson, has commended the electorate in the state for their courage despite the many security challenges that marred the election.
The governor declared that there would not be any celebration of his victory, owing to the number of people who lost their lives during the exercise.
In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, in Yenagoa, the State capital, Dickson promised to ensure justice for those who lost their lives during the election.
He also promised to make sure the people were not disappointed while extending a hand of fellowship to Timipre Sylva, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the election and others who contested with him since the state needed serious governance.
“I am extremely humbled tonight on the valiant efforts you made to revalidate the mandate you gave me four years ago. With all manner of forces arrayed against us not least the utter desperation of our political opponents, community after community led by women and youth stood gallantly to defend the sanctity of their vote and to resist the efforts of hoodlums who style themselves as ‘militants’ to undermine the democratic process.
“To the extent that the people ensured that they spoke loud and clear and that their choice clearly emerged provides some reassurance that our democracy is coming of age.
“Sadly however the elections were conducted at the price of several lives lost and mayhem visited on many communities by mindless brigands clearly suborned by those who do not respect the democratic process and have equally scant regard for the sanctity of lives and property.
“Unfortunately, we can’t celebrate because people have died,” he said.
IT’S A PAINFUL VICTORY, SAYS PDP
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) described the victory as a painful one while congratulating residents of Bayelsa State for giving their mandate to Dickson, the incumbent governor and candidate of the party.
The party said it was not happy owing to the number of people that lost their lives because of their support for the candidates.
“It’s painful that this victory has come with so much pain because we lost dear ones. Those who died are our brothers. So many are yet in the hospitals nursing life-threatening injuries because our opponents wanted to win at all cost.
“We wish to express our deepest condolences once again and to assure them that their death will not be in vain,” the PDP stated in a statement by its Director of Publicity, Restoration Campaign Organisation, Jonathan Obuebite.
The PDP thanked the people of the state for renewing Dickson’s mandate for another four years adding that it was as a result of courage in the face of intimidation, tyranny, threats and violent attacks.
“We want to use this opportunity to sincerely thank all Bayelsans for their doggedness and patriotism because even in the face of such terrible intimidation and violence decided, out of their own volition, they came out to re-elect and return the Countryman Governor to office for the next four years. We are grateful for your remarkable decision as expected in a democracy,” he said.
DICKSON’S RE-ELECTION SWEET
Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, described the re-election of Dickson as sweet victory for the PDP adding that Bayelsans stood to be counted in defence of their democratic rights to freely choose their leaders.
Ekweremadu, who further congratulated Dickson on his victory at the poll, added that Dickson’s re-election against all odds was sweet and expected since Bayelsa State had seen transformation in his first term.
In a statement by his Special Adviser (Media), Uche Anichukwu, Ekweremadu said: “it is a sweet victory, coming against all odds. It is a testimony to the performance and popularity of Governor Seriake Dickson and our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
“I commend the people of Bayelsa State for standing up to be counted, for protecting their democratic rights to freely choose their leaders.
Normal.dotm
0
0
1
611
3484
huhuonline
29
6
4278
12.0
0
false
18 pt
18 pt
0
0
false
false
false
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:”Table Normal”;
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:””;
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:”Courier New”;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-fareast-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-bidi-font-family:”Courier New”;}
