By Femi Folaranmi and Emmanuel Adeyemi
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has said that for the stability of Bayelsa State, Governor Douye Diri should be encouraged to complete a second term in office.
Speaking at his Yenagoa residence on Tuesday when members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bayelsa National Governorship Campaign Council alongside governors, former governors of the party and National Assembly members and other stakeholders paid him a visit, he said he was in touch with Governor Diri and his activities in the state.
According to him, Bayelsa has made progress in the area of security and infrastructural development under Diri.
He expressed delight over the involvement of critical stakeholders such as former Governor Seriake Dickson and the former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Chief Ndutimi Alaibe, in the affairs of the party, stressing that it signifies unity within PDP.
Jonathan restated the need for a peaceful election in Bayelsa, insisting that politics was not a do-or-die affair but should be a means to serve the people.
His words: “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 stabilize the state.
“Let us find a standard way of doing things. We cannot kill ourselves; we do not want crisis.
“I thank you all for what you are doing. While we struggle for leadership, we must have a country.”