The Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has said he stands by all the ideals of equity and inclusiveness that June 12 represents.
Senator Diri also noted that the annulled June 12, 1993 presidential election remains a watershed in Nigeria’s political history, saying it epitomised “the collective aspiration of Nigerians to enjoy the dividends of democracy and create a better life for themselves”.
Governor Diri stated this in his Democracy Day message on Thursday to Bayelsans, while also assuring that he had no greater obligation than ensuring that people of the state lived in peace in order to attract the desired prosperity he promised.
He said his administration would continue to extend the hand of fellowship to those that are aggrieved for them to join in the process of building the Bayelsa of their dreams.
The Governor also paid tributes to those who lost their lives few days to the November 16, 2019 governorship election in the state, describing as the “Martyrs of Nembe”.
“I can identify many similarities in my emergence as governor of this state and the June 12 saga. I recall with deep sorrow the blood of the Martyrs of Nembe, innocent lives brutally terminated during the November 16 governorship campaigns by anti-democratic forces. They will forever be recognised as our own heroes of democracy.
“Our support transcended clans, communities, kingdoms and faiths. So, when the collective will of the people had been disdainfully cast aside and election results concocted, our mandate was divinely restored at the 11th hour by the God who resides in heaven and rules in the affairs of men.
“I am, therefore, conscious of the task before us, gratified by the confidence you have bestowed in me, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our Martyrs of Nembe to bring us to this point. I will continue to covet your prayers and wise counsel, rest assured that I will not undermine or take your mandate for granted.”
