Gov. Dickson gets INEC Certificate of Returns; Dedicates victory to God and Bayelsans

NEDU MARK
YENAGOA

The leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC on Thursday issued a certificate of returns to Bayelsa state governor elect, Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson, as winner of the 2015 governorship election in the state.

Dickson polled over 134,000 votes to defeat Chief Timipre Sylva of the All Progressives Congress, APC, who came second with about 86,000 votes after the January Supplementary governorship election.

Presenting the certificate, Supervising National Electoral Commissioner, INEC, Dr. Mustapha Leki said the presentation was in accordance with the INEC electoral laws.

Leki said sections 68, 1 and 75,1 of the Electoral Act 2013 as amended empowered the Commission to present certificate of returns to the winner.

Hear him,” it is based on these sections, I present certificate of returns to governor Seriake Dickson of the PDP and his deputy, John Jonah as winners of the elections”

“The electoral laws empower INEC to issue certificate of returns to the winner of the election within 7 days of declaration as governor elect”.

The National commissioner also lauded the leadership of INEC, Bayelsa state security agencies and National Youth Service Corps members for conducting transparent polls.

Mustapha Leki insisted that the introduction of card reader machine has improved the nation’s electoral processes and reduced fraud in the process.

Speaking shortly after receiving the certificate, Governor Dickson said, power comes from the Almighty God and dedicated the certificate and his victory to God.

Accompanied by his wife, Rachel Dickson, his Deputy, John Jonah, and top officials of PDP, Dickson said he equally dedicated the victory to PDP supporters who were maimed or killed as a result of the political violence that marred the governorship election in the state.

The highly elated Dickson thanked the electorate for voting him into power for the second term, noting that with their performance, democracy has come to stay in the state.

“From what you people of Bayelsa state have done, you have shown that democracy will continue to flourish in Nigeria.

“By what you have done, you have shown that our nation cannot be a one party state and that democracy has come to stay,” he said.