Former President Goodluck Jonathan has expressed relief at the victory of Governor Douye Diri in the recent Bayelsa State election, stating that he would have relocated his mother to Abuja if the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) candidate had lost.
Jonathan, who visited Diri in Yenagoa on Friday, emphasized the need to avoid unnecessary crises in the state, stating, “We believe the governor won the election, and we plead that people should accept it and work with the governor.”
The former president commended Diri’s efforts in tackling insecurity, noting that the governor’s re-election would contribute to the continued improvement of peace and security in the state. He warned that if Diri had lost, the gains made in curbing insecurity would have been jeopardized.
Reflecting on personal experiences of family tragedy due to insecurity, Jonathan revealed, “My cousin was kidnapped two times, and on one of those occasions, one of my cousins, Solo, was killed because they threw him into the river and he didn’t know how to swim.” He expressed optimism that with Diri returning as governor, the situation would improve.
Diri, who earlier received his certificate of return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for a second term, is set to be sworn in for another four-year tenure next year. Jonathan urged the citizens to support the governor, emphasizing the importance of focusing on governance for the state’s progress and development.
The former president concluded, “We’ve passed through hell in this state, and we’ve seen a little light at the end of the tunnel. People should calm down and allow Diri to focus on governance so that he will be able to propel this state forward, and we will benefit as citizens of the state.”