Leaders of the All progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa have explained why they paid former President Goodluck Jonathan a courtesy visit soon after Saturday’s governorship elections in the state.
Blueprint reports that the Minister of State for Petroleum, Chief Timipre Sylva, led APC leaders including governor-elect David Lyon, to visit the former President in his Yenagoa home on Monday.
According to the former governor, they did that in recognition of the position of Jonathan as the father and leader of the state.
Sylva noted that as a former President and leader of the state, Jonathan deserves to be respected and honoured by all Bayelsans, irrespective of their partisan party lines, hence the need to present the Governor-Elect for his blessing and guidance.
The Minister said: “being a former President of the country and a past governor of the state, Jonathan remains an asset to the state and his inputs will always be needed to advance the course of governance in Bayelsa.
“As such it was important for us to introduce the governor elect to him and seek his support and guidance in building a better Bayelsa,” he said.
Responding, Jonathan tasked Lyon to put the welfare and interest of Bayelsans above every other issue.
He said: “As a former President of Nigeria, I am a father to all Bayelsans, hence my doors are open to all citizens irrespective of their political affiliations.
“I urge you to make the welfare of Bayelsans a top priority and carry all Bayelsans along irrespective of the party they voted for.
“Elections are over now, so I want you to see yourself as the Governor of all Bayelsans and not only to the sections that voted for you. This is the way to move Bayelsa forward,” he stated.
Jonathan also condemned the violence that happened in some parts of the State, describing it as unfortunate and regrettable.
According to him, the nation’s democracy will never mature, if the people continue to experience violence and irregularities during elections.
