Governor Douye Diri on Saturday commemorated six years in office with a thanksgiving service held at the Ecumenical Centre in Igbogene, Bayelsa State.
The anniversary was observed in a sombre mood in honour of the late Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, who recently passed away. Diri reflected on their shared political journey, noting that Ewhrudjakpo joined him at the outset of the administration in 2020.
During the service, the governor read the only Bible lesson of the day from Psalm 23:1–6 and expressed appreciation to the people of Bayelsa and other arms of government for their cooperation and support, which he credited for his administration’s achievements so far.
He called on residents to prioritise unity and reconciliation as the state pursues further development.
“All we need to do is to unite and harness the human and material resources that abound in our state for our collective benefits. Bayelsa is so blessed with oil and gas and so much more.
“Now we are changing the narrative about Bayelsa’s difficult terrain by building roads to open up our hinterland and connecting communities and we are still awarding more contracts.
“God had a plan for bringing me to the APC from the PDP. Let us keep uniting and speak with one voice and we pray that God will bring another God-fearing leader that will perform better than me,” he said.
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, described Diri’s ascension to office as an act of divine will, recounting past political efforts in the state.
“I am very happy to be here to celebrate your sixth year in office. A lot of people may not know why you are called the ‘Miracle Governor.’ You are in fact one of the few miracles I have seen in my life.
“As I listened to the preacher, what he said about Psalm 127 was very instructive concerning what happened to us in the All Progressives Congress before today. He said except the Lord builds, the man who builds does so in vain. We in APC then built in vain.
“Just like what the Bible says, no matter what you do, the Lord gives power to whoever He wants. So no man can ascend to any office without God.
“I say so because myself, Chief Timipre Sylva, Chief David Lyon, and all of us were building, thinking that APC would take over Bayelsa in 2015. But because God was not building with us, we built in vain.
“Today, under your leadership, all of us are gathered here. That is why I am saying in church that no matter what you do, it is God that gives power to whoever He wants. Only God made you governor.”
Also speaking, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku commended the governor for fostering peace and stability in Bayelsa, saying it had created an enabling environment for development.
“One legacy that no one can take away from you is the enthronement of peace and stability. Your administration has also ensured the amalgamation of all political parties into one. I pray God that you will finish strong,” Ogbuku stated.
Dr. Mitema Obordor described the administration’s six-year record as visionary and impactful, while Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John-Jonah (retd.) pointed to the Nembe–Brass road project as a milestone that enhanced unity and curtailed piracy and kidnapping in the area.
In his sermon, the Lead Pastor of The Refined People’s Assembly, Daddy-Ken Bitere, emphasised God’s faithfulness as the foundation of success, noting that government accomplishments are instruments through which divine purpose is fulfilled. He prayed for continued wisdom and guidance for the governor.
Among those present were former First Lady Dame Patience Jonathan; the governor’s wives, Dr. Gloria Diri and Justice Patience Diri; Senators Sunday Katung, Benson Agadaga and Konbowei Benson; House of Representatives members Chief Fred Agbedi and Oforji Oboku; Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abraham Ingobere; former Deputy Governor Rt. Hon. Peremobowei Ebebi; Secretary to the State Government Prof. Nimibofa Ayawei; Chairman of the Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council, King Bubaraye Dakolo; Managing Director of the Niger Delta Basin Development Authority, Prince Ebitimi Amgbare; APC caretaker chairman Dr. Dennis Otiotio; and Chief David Lyon, among others.
