The Independent National Electoral Commission ( INEC) has declared incumbent Bayelsa State Governor, Sarike Dickson as the winner of gubernatorial election held in the state. This was even as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on whose platform he contested described the victory as painful.
Dickson won with a total vote of 134,998 to defeat a former governor of the state and candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) , Timipre Sylva who had 86,852.
Total numbers of registered voters for the election was 654, 492, while accredited voters were 242,114.
Reacting to the result of the rerun election, the PDP expressed sadness over number of those who lost their lives during the election.
“It’s painful that this victory has come with so much pain because we lost dear ones. Those who died are our brothers. So many are yet in the hospitals nursing life threatening injuries because our opponents wanted to win at all cost. We wish to express our deepest condolences once again and to assure them that their death will not be in vain.”
The party said whose Director of Publicity, Restoration Campaign Organization, Jonathan Obuebite, spoke shortly after INEC declared the incumbent governor winner, however thanked the people for renewing Dickson’s mandate for another four-years, attributing it to the “resilience and uncommon courage” of the people.
Obuebite said that the victory was important because it came the way of the PDP even in the face of intimidation, tyranny, threats and violent attacks, said: “despite the challenges, democracy won.
“We want to use this opportunity to sincerely thank all Bayelsans for their doggedness and patriotism because even in the face of such terrible intimidation and violence decided, out of their own volition, they came out to re-elect and return the Countryman Governor to office for the next four years. We are grateful for your remarkable decision as expected in a democracy.
“The people have spoken and we are indeed grateful. It’s your victory, you the good people of Bayelsa State. Without doubt, a new dawn is here. Bayelsans, through their uncommon courage have defeated tyranny and oppression by voting for the continuation of the restoration of our dignity and pride as amply demonstrated through their votes.” [myad]
