By Mark Lenu
The Ijaw-speaking residents of Rivers State have called on the former Petroleum Minister, Timipre Sylva to work with Governor Douye Diri for the development of Bayelsa State.
The call came hours after the Supreme Court declared Diri, the winner of the 2023 governorship election in the State.
A cross-section of residents residing within the coastal communities of Rivers State told our correspondent that Sylva did what was constitutionally right to have pursued his governorship election dispute from the tribunal to the Supreme Court.
They said the decision of the apex court had put an end to the dispute arising from the result of the governorship election and that the right thing to do going forward is for Sylva to work with Diri in the interest of the state.
“Bayelsa is a state blessed with rich mineral and human resources, yet the level of development in the state is pitiable.
“The fault is not from the federal government but the prominent sons and daughters of Bayelsa State who do not like to put the interest of the state above personal interest.
“Same way Sylva would have wished Diri to work with him if he had won the guber election, he should likewise work with Diri for the development of the state,” the residents said.
In his message to the people of Bayelsa State, Diri said his government would bring in people who have what it takes to contribute to the development of the state and not those who will run it down.
He urged Bayelsans whose stock in trade was to pull others down to change their ways and think about building the state.
The governor was also quoted as saying: “My message is that of reconciliation as I will run an all-inclusive government. Let every one that is aggrieved sheathe their swords. Let us think about Bayelsa first and ourselves last. By this judgment, it is clear that the final hurdle has been cleared.”
