In a conclusive announcement, the incumbent Governor of Bayelsa State and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Douye Diri, has emerged victorious in the state’s governorship election held last Saturday. The Returning Officer, Prof Faruq Kuta, who is also the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University Of Technology, Minna, officially declared Diri as the winner at the election collation center on Monday.
Diri secured a total of 175,196 votes, defeating his closest rival, Timipre Sylva of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who garnered 110,108 votes. The Labour Party polled 905 votes.
The detailed results from various local government areas, as announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), contributed to Diri’s overall victory:
- Kolokuma/Opokuma LGA: PDP – 18,465 votes, APC – 5,349 votes.
- Ogbia LGA: PDP – 18,435 votes, APC – 16,319 votes.
- Yenagoa LGA: PDP – 37,777 votes, APC – 14,534 votes.
- Sagbama LGA: PDP – 35,504 votes, APC – 6,608 votes.
- Nembe LGA: PDP – 4,556 votes, APC – 22,248 votes.
- Ekeremekor LGA: PDP – 23,172 votes, APC – 8,445 votes.
- Brass LGA: PDP – 12,602 votes, APC – 18,431 votes.
- Southern Ijaw LGA: PDP – 24,685 votes, APC – 18,174 votes.
Diri’s victory signifies a continuation of his leadership in Bayelsa State. Further details on the election and reactions are expected to emerge.