Ahead of the November 11, 2023 governorship poll in Bayelsa State, the sitting governor, Mr. Douye Diri, yesterday emerged as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) standard bearer.
At the primary held at the Dr. Gabriel Okara Cultural Centre, Yenagoa, yesterday Diri who was the sole contestant was returned with a total of 305 votes out of 313 votes cast.
Addressing delegates and party stakeholders, chairman of the PDP electoral panel and governor of Osun State, Mr. Ademola Adeleke, said Diri, having satisfied the statutory requirements of the primary, emerged the winner.
“Bayelsa is a PDP state. We must make sure it remains so in the coming election. We have to join hands together and make sure the governor retains his seat by the special grace of God,” he said.
In his acceptance speech, the Diri expressed gratitude to the delegates and the party for giving him the ticket to contest for a second term in office.
The governor described the process as unprecedented in the history of the state as he was returned unopposed.
“Whereas, in an unprecedented turn of events, I was the sole aspirant, who picked the nomination and expression of interest forms to contest on the platform of our great party as its flagbearer in the November 2023 governorship election.
“It is, therefore, with utmost joy and profound gratitude I accept your kind endorsement of the process. I am truly humbled by your confidence in me to seek a second term to continue building the human and physical bridges that will lead us to the shared prosperity that our founding fathers envisaged for our people.
“Today is the beginning of an end; the culmination of the start of the process that, hopefully, by the grace of God and the will of the good people of Bayelsa State, will lead us back to Creek Haven for a second tenure,” he said.
Elsewhere in Imo State, the national secretary of the party, Mr. Samuel Anyanwu, won the primary for the November 11 governorship election in the state.
Announcing the result at the state party secretariat in Owerri yesterday, the chairman of the panel for the election, Mr. Kenneth Okon disclosed that Anyanwu who was the sole aspirant received 802 votes.
In his acceptance speech, Anyanwu thanked members of the party and delegates for finding him worthy to be the party’s flag bearer in the governorship election.
He assured all his party members of victory at the poll noying that his victory would mark the beginning of a new dawn in the state.
He promised to come up with his manifesto soon, while he revealed that insecurity would top the list of his campaign promises as well as creation of wealth.
“People of Imo who have been subjected to several inhuman treatment, they should look up to PDP, they can’t wait to usher in a purposeful leader that will salvage them from insecurity, today marks the journey,” he said.
Although the former governor, Mr. Emeka Ihedioha, did not attend the primary, Anyanwu commended him for pulling out of the contest saying his (Ihedioha’s) sacrifice for the party will never be forgotten.
“I appreciate Emeka Ihedioha; I urge the party to continue to remain united. I promise we’re going into the election to win, and I assure you we would win,” he added.
Recall that Ihedioha who was sacked by the Supreme Court as governor of Imo State after barely seven months in office, had recently announced his withdrawal from the primary.
