•It’s painful victory, says PDP
Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson yesterday thanked the electorate for their gallantry in ensuring his re-election. He said there would be no celebration because of the number of lives that were lost.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, Dickson vowed to do everything possible to identify the perpetrators of violence and bring them to justice.
He promised to work tirelessly to justify the mandate given to him “as we tried to do in the first four years to almost universal acknowledgement and approbation.”
While extending a hand of fellowship to his political opponents, Dickson said since election had been won and lost, the needs of Bayelsans, the challenge of improving their material condition remains more urgent.
Also last night, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) congratulated the people of Bayelsa State for supporting Governor Dickson’s reelection.
The party described the victory as painful because of the number of those killed.
“It’s painful that this victory has come with so much pain because we lost dear ones. Those who died are our brothers. Many others are in the hospitals nursing life-threatening injuries. We wish to express our deepest condolences once again and to assure them that their death will not be in vain”, the statement by the party’s position was contained in a statement by its Director of Publicity, Restoration Campaign Organisation, Jonathan Obuebite, after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Dickson the winner.
He said, ”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.
“The people have spoken and we are indeed grateful. It’s your victory, you the good people of Bayelsa State. Without doubt, a new dawn is here. Bayelsans, through their uncommon courage have defeated tyranny and oppression by voting for the continuation of the restoration of our dignity and pride as amply demonstrated through their votes.”