By By Elizabeth Ugbo
Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, on Wednesday praised members of the All Progressives Congress for conducting peaceful House of Assembly primaries in Sampou, Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area. He said party members followed laid-down rules, cooperated during the exercise, and ensured a rancour-free process across the state. The governor also assured members awaiting registration slips that they would receive them soon while encouraging more residents to join the party.
Diri Commends Party Unity During Primaries
Governor Diri said the orderly conduct of party members contributed to the smooth primary elections across Bayelsa State. According to him, adherence to party guidelines helped maintain peace during the exercise.
He urged members who registered for the APC but had not collected their registration slips to remain patient.
“Those yet to get their party registration slip will get it,” Diri said. “I encourage those yet to register to do so for our party to continue to grow stronger.”
APC Primary Results Will Reflect Ward Decisions
Speaking on reports that the APC National Working Committee directed that primary results should only be announced in Abuja, Diri clarified the process.
He explained that results could still be announced at designated collation centres before officials forward them to the party’s national secretariat for approval.
According to him, the final outcome would reflect the decisions made at the ward level.
“The party told chairmen of the electoral committees not to grant press interviews because some signals might be misinterpreted,” he stated.
He added that Abuja would not alter results collated from the wards.
Hon. Werinipre Pamoh Emerges Consensus Candidate
The incumbent lawmaker representing Kolokuma/Opokuma Constituency 1, Werinipre Pamoh, emerged as the APC consensus candidate for the constituency.
Officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission monitored the primary election. The monitoring team included Mr. Francis Ikim, Ajiwa Adeeya, and Engr. Prince Erasmus.
Deputy Governor Akpe Praises Peaceful Conduct
Deputy Governor Peter Akpe also praised the peaceful process during the House of Assembly primary in Ebedebiri, Sagbama Constituency 1.
He described the exercise as evidence of unity within the APC in the local government area and the state.
“The peaceful nature of the primary election and the conviviality you noticed show that the APC here is united,” he said.
Akpe also encouraged more indigenes of Sampou to join the party, noting that stronger membership would improve the APC’s political fortunes in Bayelsa.
He stressed that respect for rules remained the key reason for the peaceful primaries.
