President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated David Lyon, the governor-elect of Bayelsa State.
Mr Lyon, candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC) emerged victorious in the governorship election held on Saturday.
He defeated his closest rival, Duoye Diri, by winning in six out of the eight local government areas in the state.
Mr Diri, the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) won in two local government areas despite being backed by the outgoing governor Henry Dickson.
In a statement by his media aide, Femi Adesina, the president described the victory of the APC candidate as impressive.
The president also consoled families said to have lost loved ones in some locations where the exercise was reported to have turned brutal.
“Violence during elections vitiates our commitment to demonstrate to the world and upcoming generation that we are a people capable of electing leaders in a peaceful and orderly manner”, the statement quoted the president as saying.
“He notes that while officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies did their best within the ambit of the law to ensure free, fair and credible elections, it is unfortunate that pockets of unrest, mostly sponsored by desperate politicians, were recorded during the poll.
“The President looks forward to working with the incoming government to improve the lives of the people in Bayelsa State, while ensuring the security of lives and property of all citizens.
“President Buhari urges Governor-elect Lyon to carry other divergent interests along in the next phase of governance, imploring those not satisfied with the outcome of the poll to seek redress through the constitutionally established channels,” it added.
This is the first time the PDP which held sway in the state since 1999 lost to the opposing camp.
