Diri Commends Peaceful, Impressive Turnout in Bayelsa APC Senatorial Primaries
Governor of Bayelsa State, Douye Diri, has expressed satisfaction with the large turnout of voters during the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primaries in the state, describing the exercise as impressive and peaceful.
Governor Diri made the remarks on Monday shortly after monitoring the exercise at his Sampou/Kalama Ward 6 in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area.
The APC largely adopted the consensus option for the primaries across the state’s electoral wards, except in Bayelsa East Senatorial District where members opted for direct primary voting following disagreements over consensus arrangements.
According to a statement issued by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, Diri commended party members for their orderly conduct and the seamless nature of the exercise, noting that no ugly incident had been recorded since the commencement of the primaries on Saturday with the House of Representatives contests.
The governor attributed the peaceful atmosphere to the consensus approach adopted by the party as well as his administration’s commitment to promoting peace and development above partisan politics.
“I am sure the turnout will increase as we progress with the primaries. The more members get voter education, the more they will turn out to perform their civic duties. That is why you see a surge in this APC senate primaries,” he said.
Diri stressed that political differences should not divide the people of the state, insisting that peace and brotherhood must remain paramount.
“As a government, we do not elevate politics above our brotherhood. So whether we belong to different political parties, first and foremost, we are brothers and sisters in the same state and we are all Nigerians. We have no reason to kill one another because of political offices,” he added.
The governor further explained that his administration had consistently preached peace, unity, and tolerance since assuming office, expressing satisfaction that the message was yielding positive results across the state.
Speaking on the Bayelsa East Senatorial District primaries, Diri noted that the process differed from those in the Central and West districts because party stakeholders in the zone could not agree on a consensus candidate.
He disclosed that he had directed the APC National Assembly Primaries Committee, led by Chief Solomon Ogba, to ensure a transparent and credible process.
“I spoke to the electoral committee chairman, Solomon Ogba, to ensure that his credibility reflects in that election so that at the end of the day, whoever emerges will be our party’s senatorial candidate in the eastern district,” the governor stated.
The exercise was monitored by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), including the electoral officer for Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area, Ajiwa Adeeya, alongside Caroline Damachi and Engr. Prince Erasmus.
Meanwhile, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, who monitored the process in Ekeremor Local Government Area, described the primaries in Bayelsa West as peaceful, free, and fair.
Lokpobiri assured party members that he would support whoever eventually emerges as the APC candidate for the senatorial district.
