Diri commends INEC for obeying court order disqualifying Sylva

Nathan Tamarapreye, Yenagoa

Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for obeying the judgement that disqualified the All Progressive Congress candidate Chief Timiore Sylva.

Diri, who is seeking a second term on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stated this on Wednesday during his campaigns in Sagbama Local Government Area (LGA).

The Bayelsa governor spoke while inaugurating projects in Bolou-Orua, Toru-Orua, Angalabiri, Ebedebiri and Ofoni community in Tarakiri Clan, Sagbama LGA.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some of the projects inaugurated include a road with a bridge in Angalabiri, Ebedebiri Town Hall.

Others are Technical College, Motor Park and Pavilion in Ofoni community.

Diri promised to do more if he is re-elected into office come November 11.

Addressing the mammoth crowd that graced the project commissioning and campaign rally, Diri said “If I and my deputy are not working together, we could not have achieved the projects we are commissioning today.

“You remember when the governor and his deputy were fighting. They even went as far as deroofing the office of the deputy governor.

“At that time the governor and his deputy even ended up in court. But here, we are commissioning projects and dancing.

“We have not come to campaign but to thank you for voting and having confidence in us to deliver. That is why as they themselves said that they will never contest for the office of governor, God has answered their prayers.

“So today, the news is that INEC has published the names of those who are eligible to contest in the forthcoming election. But as you all know, the names of Sylva and his running mate, MacIver, are absent.

“I wish to commend the INEC for standing on the side of justice. We promise to embark on more projects in Tarakiri Clan if you re-elect us into office,” he said.

Also speaking a former lawmaker and acting Chief of Staff, Government House, Hon. Peter Akpe, who hails from Ebedebiri Community said that the APC has no presence in Tarakiri Clan.

He said that the people of the area will give all their votes to the incumbent governor and candidate of the PDP.

Akpe said: “While going round meeting with my people, the response I get is that they can see the projects embarked on and completed by the Senator Douye Diri led administration scattered across all the communities in Tarakiri Clan.

“They said they are going to give you all their votes so that you can come back and do more.

“They have also asked me to tell you not to have any fear, as they are ready to deliver Tarakiri Clan 100 per vote for the PDP.

“The people are aware that the candidate of the opposition party is nowhere as far as this election is concerned,” he said.