David Lyon pulled a big surprise winning his PDP counterpart, Senator Douye Diri, by winning the governorship election on Saturday by a large margin, in a state being controlled by the PDP, since 1999.

His victory was announced by the returning officer, Prof. Faraday Orumwense, Vice-chancellor, University of Benin, at the INEC Collation Centre in Yenagoa on Sunday night.

President Buhari in a statement on Sunday night commended Lyon for the impressive victory being the first time the APC would win a governorship election in the state.

President Buhari also commended APC supporters in particular and Nigerians in general in the State who exercised their civic rights in a peaceful manner, notwithstanding the various reports of unrest recorded in some locations. Condemning the loss of lives in Bayelsa, particularly prior to the election, the President commiserated with the families of the victims.

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His statement reads;

‘‘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.
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 was unfortunate that various reports of unrest, mostly sponsored by desperate politicians, were recorded during the poll."

The President expressed that he is looking looked forward to work with the incoming government to improve the lives of the people of Bayelsa State, while ensuring the security of lives and property of all citizens.

He also urged the Governor-elect 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.