Former president Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has backed Governor Douye Diri’s bid for a second term in the upcoming Bayelsa State gubernatorial election on Saturday.
He noted that Governor Duoye Diri should be encouraged to complete a second term in office because of the stability of the state, according to a statement issued on Tuesday by Mr. Daniel Alabrah, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor.
The former president was quoted as having spoken when members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Bayelsa National Governorship Campaign Council, along with governors, former governors of the party, National Assembly members, and other stakeholders in the party, paid him a visit at his residence in Yenagoa.
He said, “I have been in touch with our governor, and I believe he should be encouraged to do his eight years. He has been able to stabilise the state.
“Let us find a standard way of doing things. We cannot kill ourselves; we do not want a crisis. I thank you all for what you are doing. While we struggle for leadership, we must have a country.”
The party leaders visited the state for the grand finale of Diri’s re-election campaign rally.
Jonathan said he was in touch with Governor Diri and his activities in the state.
He said the state had made progress in the areas of infrastructural development and security under the governor.
Jonathan expressed delight over the involvement of critical stakeholders such as former governor Seriake Dickson and Ndutimi Alaibe, the former managing director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, in the affairs of the party, stressing that it signifies unity within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
He stressed the need for a peaceful election in Bayelsa on Saturday, insisting that politics was not a do-or-die affair but should be a means to serve the people.