From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
A former Commissioner for Information and Orientation in Bayelsa, Dr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson has congratulated the state governor, Senator Douye Diri, on his victory at the Court of Appeal.
The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Thursday, dismissed an appeal filed by the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the November 11, 2023 governorship election, Chief Timipre Sylva and affirmed Diri’s re-election.
The appellate court held that the appeal by Syla and the APC was incompetent and constituted an abuse of the court process.
Reacting to the judgment, Dr. Iworiso-Markson said the judgment of the court was a clear validation of the mandate freely given by the people of Bayelsa to Diri.
He said in a statement that the court’s judgment has again proved that the miracle mandate Diri enjoys is on course and that his ascendancy to Creek Haven, the state seat of power, was truly divine.
While applauding the judges of the appellate court for upholding the truth and dispensing justice without any iota of favour or bias, Dr. Iworiso-Markson urged members of the opposition to join hands with Diri to move the state forward.
He noted that the number of court cases instituted against Diri were distractions, insisting that the governor won the election fairly and squarely because of his popularity among the people, owing to his peaceful disposition and the massive developmental project across the state.
The former Commissioner noted that even if the election is conducted ten times, Diri will still emerge victorious, as the people of the state are at home with his leadership style, which has unified them more.
“It is not surprising. I mean, it was clear even to the blind that the election was won fairly and squarely by Governor Douye Diri. If it is conducted ten times, he will still win. He has this mass appeal across the state.
“I, therefore, appeal to those who are behind all the court cases which in an actual sense are mere distractions to join hands with him to move our beloved state forward,” Iworiso-Markson added.