Bayelsa State Governor, Duoye Diri, has been sworn in for a second term in office.
He took his oath of office at 1:58 pm on Wednesday at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex in Yenagoa, the state capital.
The Governor and his deputy, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, took their oath of office administered by the State Chief Judge, Justice Matilda Ayemieye.
Dignitaries that graced the occasion included Vice President Kashim Shettima, former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, former President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Patience Jonathan, Vice President of Liberia, Jeremiah Koung.
Governors in attendance were Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), Mohammed Bago (Niger), Ademola Adeleke (Osun), Godwin Obaseki (Edo), AbdulRahman AbdulRazak (Kwara), Ahmadu Fintiri (Adamawa).
Others included Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers), Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom), Hyacinth Alia (Benue) and Uba Sani (Kaduna).
Former Senate Presidents Bukola Saraki and Adolfus Wabara who is now Chairman of the PDP Board of Trustees as well as other National and state leaders of the party also graced the occasion.
Diri polled a total of 175,196 votes to defeat his main rival, Timipre Sylva of the All Progressives Congress.
Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress (APC), has appointed a seven-man Gubernatorial Primary Election Committee for its February 17 primary election in Edo State.
Chaired by Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, the committee is mandated to conduct a direct primary election in the 193 wards of Edo State to determine the APC gubernatorial flag bearer in the September 21 governorship election.
In a statement on Tuesday night, APC National Organising Secretary (NOS), Sulaiman Muhammad Arugungu, said the committee will be inaugurated on Thursday, by the National Chairman, Dr Abdullahi Umar Ganduje by 4 pm.
The Cross River Governor Bassey Otu, will serve as Deputy Chairman of the committee while Alh. Rabiu Suleiman is appointed as Secretary.
Other members are former Osun Deputy Gov Mrs Titilayo Laoye-Tomori; Plateau 2023 APC governorship candidate, Dr Nentanwe Yilwatda Goshwe, Hon. Umar Hassan and Lawan Garba.
Recall that the APC has cleared 12 governorship aspirants for the primary election.
The Edo APC governorship aspirants cleared for Saturday’s primary election, are: Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu; former Minister of State, National Economic Planning, Prince Clem Agba; Senator Monday Okpebholo, who represents Edo Central; former Deputy Governor, Lucky Imasuen; member representing Etsako Federal Constituency, Hon. Anamero Sunday Dekeri; former APC governorship candidate and Engr. Gideon Ikhine.
Others include the immediate past Edo APC chairman Col. David Imuse; former Executive Director, Finance and Administration of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Maj. Gen. Charles Airhiavbere (Rtd); former Governor Oserheimen Osunbor; former Zonal Organising Secretary (South-South), Dr Blessing Agbohmere; Dr Ernest Afolabi Umakhihe and member representing Ovia South/West-Ovia North/East Federal Constituency, Hon.Dennis.
