“No apologies” for backing Diri’s re-election — Jonathan

Former President Goodluck Jonathan says he has “no apologies” for backing the reelection of Governor Douye Diri.

The former Bayelsa State Governor said this during a thank-you visit by Diri to him on Tuesday.

Jonathan said he supported the governor due to his “visionary leadership” and commitment to “peace and stability” in the state.

“I did what I did during the governorship election and I have no apologies to anybody,” Jonathan said.

He added, “I have not said others did not do well. After all, I was also governor for a little less than one and a half years and also had my challenges.

The former president acknowledged the challenges of past administrations, including his own, but commended Diri’s progress in tackling security concerns. “The excesses of cult groups have reduced reasonably,” he noted, adding, “I saw that the governor and his team have a vision, and he needed to be encouraged to do another four-year term.”

However, Jonathan reminded Diri of the burden of high expectations. “To whom much was given, much was expected,” he cautioned, urging the governor to work even harder to meet the demands of his “massive support base.”

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Diri expressed deep gratitude for Jonathan’s endorsement, calling it “more than billions of naira” in its contribution to the PDP’s victory. He praised the former president’s potential for future roles in national and continental peacebuilding efforts.

The governor also thanked President Bola Tinubu for ensuring a peaceful and credible election in Bayelsa.