Why Bayelsa gov. visited Jonathan immediately after been sworn-in

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri Saturday visited former President Goodluck Jonathan in his Yenagoa home immediately after his inauguration was part of his plan to calm frayed nerves in the state.

Diri who acknowledged that there was too much anger and bitterness in the state especially resulting from the November 16 governorship election, explained that his resolve was to ensure that all stakeholders are carried along in the governance of Bayelsa.

He said his visit to the former president was the first step in the reconciliatory process, noting that he would soon be visiting elders and leaders of the state in furtherance of his effort to unite the state.

Diri’s emergence in the PDP primaries had created a wedge between Jonathan, who supported Mr Timi Alaibe, on the one hand and Diri and former Governor Seriake Dickson on the other.

After the private meeting with Jonathan, Diri described Jonathan as a father and a mentor who deserved to be treated as such.

He said: “It wasn’t a formal meeting, but we have come to see our father and our mentor to pledge our allegiance to the former president. Recall that while he was governor, I was Commissioner for Sports. We have had a very long relationship before now.

“Our state has too much of bitterness and acrimony. We have to show love. We have to reconcile. We need to cement relationships. We have to rebuild relationships. That’s what myself and my deputy visited the former president.

“We need an agenda that will bring Bayelsa’s people together; unite them as one people who will pursue the development of Bayelsa as one people, whether in PDP, APC or any other political party,” he said.