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From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has reacted to the verdict of the Bayelsa State Elections Petitions Tribunal which upheld his election as governor, declaring that the victory at the courts will spur him to serve the state better in his second term.
Speaking with journalists shortly after the judgement was delivered by the Justice Adekunle Adeleye-led three-member tribunal, Governor Diri said the petition was a “needless distraction.”
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Daniel Alabrah, the governor noted that by the judgment, the judiciary has again proven that it remained the last hope for the common man.
He said: “Once again, l use this opportunity to thank my people of Bayelsa State who graciously and freely gave me this mandate. lt is not my victory but it is for the people of Bayelsa.
“As l always pledge, our administration is people-focused and people-oriented. So this will again give us a better latitude to continue to deliver the dividends of democracy to our people. ”
Describing the judgment as very sound and one of the best that had been delivered in such election petition matters, he said there was still hope for the country.
According to the governor, “Matters like these are mere distractions in delivering the dividends of democracy to the people, particularly against the backdrop that we had an election that was adjudged to be one of the freest and the fairest. And yet we have been distracted over this period. I want to let Bayelsa people of Bayelsa know that we are still for you and will continue to work for you and walk with you until the final day of our administration.”
Diri expressed appreciation to his legal team for its commitment and passion and all those who worked hard towards securing a sound judgement.
Responding to a question if he was disposed to working with his political opponents, the governor stressed that his administration would work with only those who have had a change of heart and were interested in collaborating with his Prosperity Government in bringing meaningful development to the state.
“The days where you threaten your own people, chase them out of their own land, intimidate them and go and write results are over. So if they change from those ways, l will work with them.”
In particular, the tribunal chairman described as unprofessional the conduct of the state APC chairman, Chief Dennis Otiotio, for testifying as a witness in the case while being a member of the legal team and for being involved in writing fictitious election results in an attempt to deceive the tribunal.
According to the tribunal, Otiotio’s conduct was curious as a legal practitioner.
It also dismissed the allegation that the deputy governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, tendered a forged university certificate and NYSC exemption certificate to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), saying it was a pre-election matter that ought to be determined by a high court instead.
