The candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, Seriake Dickson, has officially been declared winner of the Bayelsa State governorship election. Dickson popularly called ‘Contriman Governor’ however said there would be no celebration as a mark of respect for those who lost their lives in the election. He thanked Bayelsans for their resolve to defend democracy in the state.

According to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Dickson polled a total of 134,998, votes while his main challenger, the All Progressives Congress candidate, Timipre Sylva polled 86,852 votes.

The governor in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Iworiso-Markson, vowed that he would do everything possible to identify the perpetrators and bring them to justice. No fewer than 14 persons were said to have died in the course of the re-run election.

His main challenger, Timipre Sylva of the APC has however rejected the result, citing irregularities.

Below is the text of the Governor’s statement

“My good people of Bayelsa State,

“I am extremely humbled tonight on the valiant efforts you made to revalidate the mandate you gave me four years ago. With all manner of forces arrayed against us not least the utter desperation of our political opponents, community after community led by women and youth stood gallantly to defend the sanctity of their vote and to resist the efforts of hoodlums who style themselves as “militants” to undermine the democratic process.

“To the extent that the people ensured that they spoke loud and clear and that their choice clearly emerged provides some reassurance that our democracy is coming of age. Sadly however the elections were conducted at the price of several lives lost and mayhem visited on many communities by mindless brigands clearly suborned by those who do not respect the democratic process and have equally scant regard for the sanctity of lives and property. Unfortunately, we can’t celebrate because people have died.

“I want to assure you that we will do everything possible to identify the culprits and bring them to justice. I want to express my heartfelt condolences and sympathy to the families of the innocent victims of the violence. The government will be undertaking a full accounting of what happened.

“The mandate you have given us having been clearly demonstrated, I want to assure you that my administration will work tirelessly to justify this mandate as we tried to do in the first four years to almost universal acknowledgement and approbation. The present economic climate in the country may be very harsh with the precipitous slide in oil revenues but I want to assure you that we will courageously tackle the challenges of economic and social development with renewed vigour.

“Here I will like to extend a hand of fellowship to our political opponents. The election has been won and lost but the needs of our people, the challenge of improving their material condition remains and is even more urgent. That should now be the focus of all our attention and efforts”