Why I Visited Tinubu After S/Court Judgment – Gov Diri

Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, has addressed the recent speculations surrounding his visit to President Bola Tinubu, emphasizing that there was nothing extraordinary about his meeting with the President following the Supreme Court’s judgment on the presidential election.

During his visit to Igbedi community in the Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area as part of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship campaign trail, Governor Diri elucidated his reasons for the visit. He explained that it was well within his rights as a sitting governor to extend congratulations to President Tinubu in light of the Supreme Court’s ruling.

Moreover, Governor Diri disclosed that the meeting in the presidential villa was primarily focused on vital state matters, which were addressed positively by the President. He remained undeterred by opposition speculations and falsehoods, which he attributed to their unease over the visit.

The Bayelsa governor emphasized that the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the upcoming governorship election remained disqualified based on the first amended list of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). He urged the Bayelsa electorate not to waste their votes on a party that would not appear on the ballot.

Governor Diri clarified that his presence in Igbedi was not for campaign purposes but to showcase the projects undertaken by his administration in the community. He assured the community that during his second tenure, he would oversee the construction of a road connecting Igbedi to Kaiama, facilitating improved access to and from the Bayelsa International Airport via the East-West road and the Delta State axis.

In response to the controversy, he stated, “If the Supreme Court affirms the president of the country, as a sitting governor, I reserve all the rights to visit him. But beyond that, I went for very serious state business, and I can tell you that Mr. President attended to all the issues I raised.” Governor Diri emphasized his commitment to the development of Bayelsa and its connectivity with neighboring regions in his upcoming term.