Goodluck Jonathan, the former president of Nigeria, declared on Tuesday that he owed no one an apology for having backed Senator Douye Diri, the governor of Bayelsa State, in his reelection on November 11, 2023, an off-cycle governorship election.
He went on to say that Diri’s visionary leadership in managing state matters was the reason he openly supported his candidature during the campaigns.
Jonathan stated that Governor Diri deserved to be re-elected for his developmental efforts, especially for guaranteeing peace and stability in the state. He also mentioned that it was the proper thing to do because the majority of Bayelsa people supported the governor’s continuation in office.
Speaking on Tuesday at the governor’s mansion in Yenagoa, the state capital, during the governor and delegation’s Yuletide visit, Jonathan stated, “Since Diri came on board, the excesses of cult groups, particularly in Yenagoa, have reduced reasonably.” In order to draw investors, we must address the security issue first and foremost if we are to proceed.
“I know that the governor and his team were doing very well, especially in the area of peace and stability of the state, so I did what I did during the governorship election, and I have no regrets,” the speaker said. For a while, I started to worry a lot.
“I didn’t say other people didn’t perform well. After all, I had my share of difficulties during my little less than a year and a half as a governor.
“I saw the governor and his team had a plan, and we should support him in running for a second four-year term.”
Jonathan reminded the governor that “to whom much is given, much is expected,” and he urged the governor with doing more to live up to the high standards of the broad base of support for his Prosperity Administration.
In his reply, Diri thanked the former president for his encouragement and assistance, both of which helped the Peoples Democratic Party win.
“You gave a sitting governor your support in exchange for more than billions of naira. After obtaining that support, we were confident that we would win. We are here to express our sincere gratitude since it has restored stability to the state,” he remarked.
The helmsman of the state expressed hope that Jonathan would be able to contribute more to the nation’s and Africa’s peace and development by bringing people together.
Dame Patience Jonathan, the former president’s wife, was also present to greet the governor and his delegation.
Among the other dignitaries are Senator Konbowei Benson of the Bayelsa Central Senatorial District, Hon. Fred Agbedi of the Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency, Rodney Ambaowei of the Southern Ijaw Federal Constituency, and Oforji Oboku of the Kolokuma/Opokuma/Yenagoa Federal Constituency, among other members of the National Assembly.
The others included state executive council members, Senator Nimi Barigha-Amange, former House of Representatives Chief Whip Ishiaku Bawa, and Secretary to the State Government Alabo Gideon Ekeuwei.
Former members of the state assembly were also in attendance, including Dr. Tonye Isenah and Ebi Ololo, the PDP caucus chairs for the local government areas of Ogbia, Ekeremor, and Kolokuma/Opokuma, respectively, led by Chief Innocent Afagha, Dein Binadoumene, and Chief Isaac Kumokou.
Other notable figures included Prof. Tarilah Tebepah, a former Commissioner for Health, and Perekiye Buruboyefe, the chairman of the state Civil Service Commission. Traditional leaders also included King Mozi Agara, Ibenanaowei of Kolokuma kingdom, Chief Simon Usikoromoagha, the paramount ruler of the Sampou community, and Ibu Mizodome and Inemo Orubide, caretaker committee chairmen of Ogbia and Kolokuma/Opokuma councils.
