By Valentine Amanze
The Bayelsa State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has described Douye Diri as an illegimate governor of the state.
It also denied the claim by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state that the APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole; and Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, helped the PDP win the Bayelsa State governorship election, while also denying foisting extreme violence on Bayelsans and Bayelsa.
It alleged that the PDP Government under Governor Henry Seriake Dickson ran a regime of heist, violence and lawlessness since 2012.
The State Publicity Secretary of APC in Bayelsa State, Doifie Buokoribo, in a statement discribed the PDP’s allegation as irresponsible, petty and provocative.
It also insisted that the PDP did not win the Bayelsa State governorship election held on November 16, 2019, stressing, “The APC won that election, fair and square.
The strange decision of the Supreme Court of Nigeria to ignore the Bayelsa State electorate, make themselves the voters, and impose another person as governor is incompatible with democratic norms.”
It said that the Supreme Court verdict that legitimized Diri’s government was a judgement without justice and legitimacy.
“Yes. Even though we are bound by the judgement as a legal entity, our party does not consider the action of the Supreme Court as fair or just. As citizens, we have the right to critique the decision of the apex court. No body or institution, not even the governor imposed on us by the Supreme Court or his party, can deny us that right.”
It however pointed out that legally Douye Diri is governor of Bayelsa State, stressing that in the hearts and minds of Bayelsa people, he is illegitimate.
“He was not the one they voted for. He will bear the burden of illegitimacy throughout his tenancy at Creek Haven, Government House, Yenagoa,” the party said.
The APC also condemned the decision decision of Senator Diri to take a bank loan of N2.9 billion to buy operational vehicles for the governor, his deputy and other top government functionaries in less than three weeks as governor.
It said that Diri was taking the loan at a time when civil servants and pensioners in the state have not been paid.