From Kenechukwu Obiajuru, Yenagoa
Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has attributed the peaceful primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state to the adherence to rules by the party’s faithful.
Speaking in his hometown, Sampou, in Kolokuma/Opokuma local government area on Wednesday during the State House of Assembly primary election, Governor Diri lauded party members for their orderly conduct.
According to him, their cooperation has contributed to rancour-free primaries across the state.
He urged those that have registered as members of the APC but were yet to get their registration slip to be patient, assuring that it will get to them.
He also appealed to indigenes of Sampou yet to join the party to do so, saying it will improve its fortunes in the local government area and the state at large.
His words: “I did not do any magic to get the peace that we have witnessed in the primaries. We have only done what is right.
“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.
“Every politics is local and that is why you always see me coming home. I thank every one for your support.
“Those yet to get their party registration slip, you will get it. I encourage those yet to register to do so for our party to continue to grow stronger.”
Speaking on reports that the APC National Working Committee directed that the results of primaries results should be announced in Abuja, Governor Diri stated that the information he got was slightly different as results can be announced at collation centres before they are forwarded to the party’s national secretariat for approval.
He allayed any fear that the national secretariat would announce results different from what emanated from the wards, insisting that the final results will reflect the people’s choices at the various wards.
He said: “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 diffeent from the results collated from the wards.”
The incumbent member represent Kolokuma/Opokuma state constituency 1 in the 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) in the state, including the Head of Department, Election and Party Monitoring, Mr. Francis Ikim, the Electoral Officer in KOLGA, Ajiwa Adeeya, and Engr. Prince Erasmus.
Also, the Deputy Governor, Dr. Peter Akpe, who spoke after the House of Assembly primary at Ebedebiri in Sagbama Constituency 1, said the peaceful conduct of the process was a testament to the unity of the party in the local government and 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.
