Former IYC President Oweilaemi Congratulates Governor Diri, Lawrence On Supreme Court Victory, Preaches Unity
…Says its time to focus on developing Bayelsa State
By Binebai Princewill
Former President of Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, Barr. Pereotubo Oweilaemi has congratulated His Excellencies Senators Douye Diri and His deputy, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo on their latest supreme court victory yesterday.
While congratulating the duo, the revered former president of IYC appealed to Governor Diri and His deputy to involve competent hands in the governance of the state, stressing that this must be done beyond party lines.
The former IYC President made the call yesterday in a statement issued to newsmen in Abuja, a copy of which was sent to The Liberator Newspapers.
The Niger Delta Youth leader, Oweilaemi had called on the Governor to prioritise unity as his watch word, stressing that it is only unity among Bayelsans that can move the state forward, adding that his endless victories were clear indications that it is God that gives power and not man.
Oweilaemi maintained that now that all legal battles have been finally put to rest, the Governor and his deputy must focus more in the rapid development of Bayelsa State, stressing that all Ijaws are concerned about the well-being of the state due to the fact that it is the only Ijaw state.
“I congratulate Diri for his victory at the Supreme Court which has put final rest to litigations. I also appeal to all well meaning Bayelsans to join hands with the government to seriously and immediately develop the state that is under developed since creation. Diri should deliberately involve competent hands irrespective of parties to develop the state that is in dare need of development. His victories are clear indications that it is only God that give power and not man.” Oweilaemi stated.
However, Chief Press Srcretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, said in a statement that the dismissal of the petitions of the Alliance for Democracy (AD), Liberation Movement (LM) and Advanced Nigeria Democratic Party (ANDP) against the deputy governor and that of the Accord Party (AP) against Diri was the fifth time the governor and his deputy had won at the Supreme Court.
In putting a final seal on the governor as being duly elected, the apex court said the appeals lacked merit and therefore dismissed all four petitions.
Speaking to journalists after the judgement, Governor Diri said: “I have over the period leading to the Supreme Court ruling said as a state we do not need all of this distraction. We are one and the brotherhood should be paramount.
“After elections, particularly when a government has taken the oath of office, we expect everybody to support and bring their ideas on board for Bayelsa to grow and become prosperous. That is why we tagged our government the Prosperity Administration.
“So, today marks the end of all the litigations. If anybody wants to further appeal, maybe he can appeal to the court of the devil. But, constitutionally, I believe this is the end of all the litigations.
“Once again, I call on my brothers that had gone on this appeal to join hands with the government of the day. And what should be uppermost on our mind should be the interest of Bayelsa and not individual and personal interest.
“Of course, it is their right to take their matter to the end. However, I call on my brothers on the other side, who are not my enemies but political adversaries, so to speak, to join hands with our government and ensure that we bring development and prosperity to our people.”
The Bayelsa governor commended the Chief Justice of Nigeria and other justices of the Supreme Court for their professionalism and for again displaying that the court was the last hope of the common man by standing on the side of the rule of law.
