Sylvia: Jonathan’s Win Is Victory For Justice And National Unity

Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva says President Goodluck Jonathan’s victory in the April 16 presidential election is a “well deserved victory for justice and national unity.”

In a congratulatory message to the president signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Doifie Ola, Sylva said, “I, on behalf of the government and people of Bayelsa State congratulate you, our brother, on your victory. This victory is our pride and joy. You are a special gift from Bayelsa to Nigeria.

“You have proved yourself to the whole country to be a remarkable man with a delightful personality and a positive flexibility – exactly the qualities that Nigeria requires for the leadership of its positively diverse peoples.

“In all your campaigns, you carried the whole country along. And you have carried all of us to the place of victory and progress. This is, indeed, a well deserved victory for justice and national unity.”

Sylva thanked all Nigerians for what he called “a momentous speech with one voice,” and called on all and sundry to always give their honest support to the president. “For we have no other country we can call our own except Nigeria,” he said.

To all those who contested the election with Jonathan, Sylva said: “You all deserve special recognition for your commitment and service to motherland as well as your interest in the Nigerian project, as exhibited by your participation in the presidential election. You did not fall back into hopelessness and arm-chair condemnation of Nigeria, as is the custom of some. But you engaged the process and egged your supporters on to join the rest of the country to prove to the world that we can hold competitive, yet, credible elections.

“You remain an asset to Nigeria and I urge you all to always avail the nation of your substantial abilities.”

Sylva prayed God to give the president the wisdom to continue to lead the country on the path of peace and progress.

— Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt