#BayelsaDecides: Buhari congratulates APC candidate Lyon on his victory in Bayelsa election

Nigeria’s president, Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the November 16 election in Bayelsa State, David Lyon, on his victory at the polls.

Mr Lyon was declared winner early Monday by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

The returning officer, Faraday Orumwese, Vice Chancellor of the University of Benin, announced that Mr Lyon polled 352,552 votes to defeat Duoye Diri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who polled 143, 172 votes.

Buhari who spoke on Monday in a statement by his spokesperson, Femi Adesina, commended APC supporters and other Nigerians in the State who exercised their civic rights in a peaceful manner, “notwithstanding the pockets of unrest recorded in some locations.”

READ: HOW APC’S LYON FLOORED PDP IN BAYELSA 

He condemned the loss of lives and commiserated with the families of the victims, spokesperson Femi Adesina said in a statement.

‘‘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.’’

According to Adesina, Buhari noted that 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,” he said.

“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,” the statement said.

“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.”

Observers say the election witnessed violence in parts of the state, leading to the killing of at least one person.