The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has congratulated the Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri over the judgment of the Supreme Court, which today affirmed his victory in the November 11, 2023 governorship election in the State.
In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, the party says “The verdict of the Supreme Court is another victory for Democracy, Rule of Law and the expressed Will of the people of Bayelsa State in their quest for good governance and development on the platform of the PDP”.
“Governor Diri’s re-election by the overwhelming majority of the people of Bayelsa State is a resounding testament in recognition and appreciation of his outstanding achievements in the delivery of life-changing citizen empowerment programmes and projects in the State”.
“The PDP however raises serious concerns on the decision of the Supreme Court to uphold the governorship elections in Imo and Kogi States despite confirmed reports and evidence that the elections were heavily flawed and blatantly compromised, marred by widespread violence and manipulations by the All Progressives Congress (APC) in connivance with certain unscrupulous officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)”.
“The general melancholic disposition in Imo and Kogi States at the news of the judgment validates the concerns and views of our Party and majority of Nigerians that the results of the elections declared in the two States did not reflect the true aspiration of the people as expressed in their votes. The upholding of the governorship election in Imo and Kogi States further underscores a very serious challenge created by the blemished operation and violation of the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2022 and Electoral Guidelines by INEC”.
The judgment also underlines the clamour and demand by our Party and Nigerians for a comprehensive review of the Electoral Law particularly with respect to the declaration of results of election without due regard to issues and complaints arising from obvious violation of the provisions of the law and electoral processes.
This again highlights the need to strengthen the electoral law and processes to ensure that elections are determined by votes cast and not by violence and manipulations as were prevalent in the Imo and Kogi State governorship elections. Such situation places a lot of pressure on the judiciary which would have been avoided if the Electoral Commission ensured strict adherence to the Electoral Act and Guidelines in the conduct of elections in our country.
“Our Party restates its position that no candidate should be declared a winner of any election until all legal processes are concluded. This is to prevent the inclination to resort to self-help through the use of violence and manipulation to secure unearned victory as witnessed in the Imo and Kogi States governorship elections”.
“The PDP as a law-abiding Party, respects the decision of the Supreme Court despite our Party’s deep reservations and urges Nigerians to remain calm but determined in the collective quest to ensure the entrenchment of credible elections in our country”.
