Yenagoa—Former Bayelsa State Commissioner for Information, Hon. Daniel Iworiso-Markson has said he will not sit on the fence in the coming Bayelsa State gubernatorial election, stating that he will work for the re-election of the incumbent, Governor Douye Diri during the November polls.
Iworiso-Markson who stated this in an interview with the ThisDay newspaper noted that Diri is the best amongst all the candidates vying for the governorship seat in the state.
According to him, the Bayelsa State helmsman will perform even better when reelected for a second term in office.
In his words, ” I want to help the governor secure a second term. Like I told you earlier, I am not willing to sit on the fence or be quiet at a critical time like this.
“I am coming all out with my supporters, we are going to go from place to place, house to house, door to door, community to community to engage the people and make his re-election seamless.
“Between him and others, he stands tall and remains the best. I believe the governor will do more in his second term if he has the right people around him. Given what I know for a fact, the governor wants to leave behind a worthy legacy.”
When asked if Governor Diri has performed well in office so far, the former commissioner said, “I have often said that governance is not a tea party. It is a tough job governing a state like Bayelsa with all its contradictions and challenges.”
He continued, “Every day all I see on social media are all manner of criticisms and attacks on the governor bordering on his performance. But for me, the fact that there is a great measure of peace and political stability in the state is enough to know that Governor Diri is doing well.
“He listens and he is also open to divergent views and opinions. He has a high level of tolerance for criticism and members of the opposition know this too. He is one man that knows that power is transient and so he is mindful of his actions.
“He extends an invitation to members of the opposition to state functions and also finds the time to attend events of members of the opposition if and whenever he is invited.
“All of these he is doing for the interest of Bayelsa especially in his quest to create an atmosphere of peace and inclusion.”
Iworiso-Markson also revealed that himself and Diri share a very close bond beyond politics, stating that their friendship dates back to the Seriake Dickson-led Bayelsa State government wherein both served as commissioners.
“Unknown to many people, my relationship with Governor Diri has remained cordial even while I was in the SDP. We met a number of times and what has always been paramount to him just like me is the development of Bayelsa State.
“What many people don’t even know is that beyond politics the governor and I have a strong bond of friendship.
“And if you recall, we were integral members of the former administration of Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, who remains our boss and leader and to his credit he was very instrumental to my return to the PDP,” he said.
The politician who recently rejoined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)from the Social Democratic Party (SDP) on which platform he contested for a seat in the House of Representatives in the 2023 general election said his return to the PDP was an easy decision because he had the support of his people.
