Bayelsa guber: Jonathan backs Diri for second term

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

Ahead of the Saturday’s governorship election, former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has said that for the stability of Bayelsa State, Governor Douye Diri should be encouraged to complete a second term in office.

Jonathan said this on Tuesday while playing host to the 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 who paid him a courtesy call in his residence.

He expressly declared that he is constantly in touch with Governor Diri and his activities in the state.

The party leaders visited the state for the grand finale of the Governor Douye Diri re-election campaign rally.

Dr. Jonathan said Bayelsa has made progress in the areas of security and infrastructural development under Diri.

The former President and also erstwhile Governor of Bayelsa State, 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 however restated the need for a peaceful election in Bayelsa State, insisting that politics must not be seen as a ‘do-or-die affair’ but should be a means to serve the people.

According to him, “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 stabilise 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”, he said.

Among those on the delegation who visited Jonathan were; the PDP Acting National Chairman, Amb. Iliya Damagum, former National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, Governors Kefas Agbu (Taraba), Eno Umoh (Akwa Ibom), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), his predecessor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, Senators Abdul Ningi, Ned Nwoko, Konbowei Benson, Benson Agadaga, James Manager and Stella Omu among others.