Udengs Eradiri, the former Labour Party governorship candidate in Bayelsa State, has extended his congratulations to Governor Douye Diri following the Supreme Court’s affirmation of Diri’s election.
Eradiri, a former President of the Ijaw Youths Congress, urged the governor to display magnanimity in victory and resist the urge to marginalize his political opponents.
In a statement released on Monday, Eradiri acknowledged the conclusion of all litigation with the Supreme Court’s ruling and called on all stakeholders to collaborate with Diri for the state’s progress. Despite challenging Diri’s victory up to the Appeal Court and opting not to pursue the case further, Eradiri pledged to offer constructive criticism rather than engage in partisan conflict.
“All involved in the last election have fought a good fight. All the litigations have now been resolved with the final judgement of the Supreme Court affirming the election of Governor Douye Diri. My team and I congratulate the governor of our state on his victory,” Eradiri stated.
He emphasized the importance of unity and warned against bitterness, stating, “It is now time for all stakeholders in the state to come together and work with the governor to move the state forward. There should be no room for politics of bitterness, and we also urge the governor to be magnanimous in victory.”
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Eradiri further advised against any form of political retribution, urging Diri to focus on governance with earnestness. “We call on Governor Douye Diri to unite the state and avoid the temptation of sidelining perceived enemies in the governance of the state. The governor must approach the issues of governance with the seriousness they require.”
Addressing the state’s developmental issues, he said, “Bayelsa remains grossly underdeveloped despite our vast resources, and we urge the governor to judiciously utilise the enormous Commonwealth to address Bayelsa’s fundamental developmental challenges.”
He concluded, “We will continue to engage the governor on his policies and programmes, actions and inactions, and constructively criticise issues related to the development, growth, and progress of Bayelsa State. This is the only state we have, and all of us must contribute our quota to develop it.”