Governorship candidates of all political parties that participated in the just-concluded election in Bayelsa State – with the exclusion of Timipre Sylva of the All Progressives Congress (APC) – have commended stakeholders and the public for their peaceful conduct which led to the success of the election in the state.

The stakeholders include the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Nigeria Police Force and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

The candidates in a statement in Yenagoa reviewed the circumstances which led to the cancellation of the election in Southern Ijaw LGA and the rescheduled election of January 9, which they said was successfully conducted in spite of pockets of violent incidents.

The statement was jointly signed by Edwin Tare of DPP, Alexander Peretu (PPA), Chief Inko Namatabe (NNPP), Prince Awotu (SDP), Prince Elemah (ID), Brisbe Kpodoh (ADC) and Abbey Daniel of APA.

Others are Williams Eperezi (UPP), Golden Maxson (KOWA), David Amabebe (DPC), Hendrix Ere (PDC), Isaac Eze (MPP), Engr. John D. Sokari (APGA), Gabriel Tukuwei (ACPN) AND Eneyi Zidougha of CPP.

They unanimously stated that they were satisfied with the outcome of the election and have accordingly endorsed the result of the election which the incumbent governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson won.

They said: “From all indications, the January 9, 2016 re-scheduled governorship election in the state was generally peaceful as only minor incidents were recorded in just a few polling units across the state. We therefore commend all Bayelsans for upholding democracy.

“We equally commend the efforts of the INEC for their effort in the distribution of electoral materials to remote areas of the state and providing a level playing ground for all to come out and cast their votes.

“We are satisfied with the conduct of the January 9 election in the state and hereby endorse the results of same and accordingly hereby congratulate the winner, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson of the PDP on a well deserved victory.”

The governorship candidates called on Sylva, who emerged as Dickson’s closet rival during the election, to accept the result and join forces with the winner to move the state forward.

“At this time in our development, we need ideas and partnership and not antagonism. We have to come together as one people to move the Izon nation forward. In every election, there will always be a winner and a loser. There is always a tomorrow,” they noted.

The candidates condemned acts of violence on the part of politicians it claimed were bent on holding the state to ransom “for personal interest and desperate quest for power.”

•Photo shows Governor Dickson.

Update news