Diri Attributes Peaceful Bayelsa APC Primaries To Adherence To Rules

Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has attributed the peaceful and rancour-free conduct of the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary elections in the state to members’ adherence to party rules and procedures.

The governor stated this on Wednesday in his hometown, Sampou, in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area during the APC State House of Assembly primary election.

Governor Diri commended party faithful for their orderly conduct throughout the exercise, noting that their cooperation contributed significantly to the peaceful conduct of the primaries across the state.

According to him, the party did not employ any extraordinary measures to maintain peace but simply ensured that the right procedures were followed.

“I did not do any magic to get the peace that we have witnessed in the primaries. We have only done what is right,” he said.

“Bayelsans and members of the APC are doing what is right. That is why you see people cooperating. This is what we need in this country; we must abide by the rules. When people abide by the rules, you get this kind of peaceful and orderly process.”

The governor also appealed to party members who were yet to receive their APC registration slips to remain patient, assuring them that the documents would be distributed in due course.

He further encouraged eligible indigenes of Sampou and other communities who were yet to join the party to register, stressing that increased membership would strengthen the APC in both the local government area and the state.

“Every politics is local and that is why you always see me coming home. I thank everyone for your support,” he added.

Speaking on reports that the APC National Working Committee directed that results of the primaries should be announced in Abuja, Governor Diri clarified that results could first be declared at designated collation centres before being forwarded to the party’s national secretariat for final approval.

He dismissed fears that the national leadership of the party could alter results from the wards, insisting that the final outcome would reflect the true choices of party members.

“The party told chairmen of the electoral committees not to grant press interviews because some signals might be misinterpreted. Results should be forwarded for approval based on what was collated. Abuja will not announce anything different from the results collated from the wards,” he stated.

The incumbent lawmaker representing Kolokuma/Opokuma Constituency 1 in the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Hon. Werinipre Pamoh, emerged as the consensus candidate of the party.

The exercise was monitored by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), including the Head of Department, Election and Party Monitoring, Mr. Francis Ikim, the Electoral Officer in Kolokuma/Opokuma LGA, Ajiwa Adeeya, and Engr. Prince Erasmus.

Also speaking after the House of Assembly primary election in Ebedebiri, Sagbama Constituency 1, the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Dr. Peter Akpe, described the peaceful conduct of the process as evidence of unity within the APC in the state.

“The peaceful nature of the primary election and the conviviality you noticed show that the APC here is united and we will go into the election as a united party,” he said.