The Nation

Diri wins PDP governorship ticket in Bayelsa as Samuel Anyanwu takes Imo

April 12, 2023 6:55 pm

Douye Diri, governor of Bayelsa, has been declared the winner of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship primary election in the state.

Diri, who was a consensus candidate in the race, got 305 votes at the election held on Wednesday in Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa.

A total of 315 delegates were accredited to vote in the election.

Similarly, Samuel Anyanwu, national secretary of the PDP, has won the party’s governorship primary election in Imo state.

Anyanwu, a former senator, polled 802 votes at the election which took place on Wednesday in Owerri, the state’s capital.

He was the sole candidate in the race following the withdrawal of other aspirants.

Anyanwu is expected to challenge Hope Uzodimma, governor of Imo, who is seeking reelection on the platforms of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Speaking after he was announced as the winner of the election, Anyanwu said the exercise was “hitch-free”.

He said he won’t “take for granted the confidence reposed in him” by the party.

“Sincerely speaking, you have today demonstrated your undying love for me for electing me your consensus candidate. I will remain indebted to Imo PDP and of course, the national working committee (NWC),” he said.

“In the same vein, I want to sincerely, from the depth of my heart, appreciate my brother and my friend, his excellency, Emeka Ihedioha, who on his own, decided to withdraw from the primary to further consolidate the unity of the party. This sacrifice you have made for the interest of the party cannot be forgotten easily.

“I am going to work for you all, and let me be bold to say that PDP in the state is ever ready to win the governorship election come November, 11.

“I am further inspired that my emergence is a product of extensive consultations and deliberations across the 27 LGA of the state. I am so happy to fly the party flag and I promise not to disappoint you.”

The governorship election in Bayelsa and Imo is scheduled to take place on November 11.