In the Bayelsa governorship election announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Yenagoa, Diri polled a total of 175,196 votes to defeat his closest rival, Timipre Sylva of the All Progressives Congress (APC) who scored 115,262 votes.
According to the electoral umpire, Diri won in six of the eight local government areas of the state with Sylva clinching Brass and Nembe local government areas.
The incumbent Governor scored 18,435 votes in Ogbia, 18,465 votes in Kolokuma/Opokuma, 37,777 in Yenagoa, 23,172 in Ekeremor, 24,685 in Southern Ijaw, 4,556 in Nembe and 12,602 in Brass.
The INEC Returning Officer in the state, Prof Farouk Kuta, who is the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University, Lafia, declared: “The elections were contested. And Senator Douye Diri of the PDP, having satisfied the requirements of the law, is hereby declared the winner and returned elected.”