…God, Not Man, Made You Governor – Lokpobiri
…You’ve Enthroned Unity, Peace In Bayelsa – Ogbuku, Jonah
The administration of Senator Douye Diri in Bayelsa State commemorated its sixth anniversary on Saturday, February 14, with a thanksgiving service at the Ecumenical Centre at Igbogene.
This year’s celebration was however devoid of the usual fanfare, which Governor Diri explained was to honour the memory of the departed deputy governor of the state, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.
At the well-attended thanksgiving service, the Bayelsa governor paid tribute to his late deputy, whom he said began the journey with him in 2020.
Senator Diri, who read the only Bible lesson at the service from Psalm 23:1-6, thanked Bayelsans and the other arms of government for their support and solidarity, which he noted accounted for the successes achieved by the administration.
He urged people of the state to continually imbibe the spirit of togetherness, tolerance and reconciliation and work collectively for its development.
His words: “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.”
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, in his goodwill message, said Diri’s emergence as governor was a divine intervention for the state.
According to Lokpobiri, not many understand why he was referred to as the Miracle Governor, describing his emergence as one of the few miracles he had seen in life.
He also stated that Diri was God’s choice for the state and that no man can claim the credit.
He said: “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 it in church here that no matter what you do, it is God that gives power to whoever he wants. So nobody should claim that he made you governor. Only God made you governor.”
Similarly, Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, while congratulating Governor Diri and his cabinet members, commended the administration for what he described as enthronement of peace in the state.
Ogbuku said this has facilitated development initiatives across the length and breadth of the state.
“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.
Speaking on behalf of the state’s National Assembly Caucus, member representing Ogbia Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Dr. Mitema Obordor, described six years of Diri’s leadership as visionary, impactful and exceptional governance.
Also, chairman of the Bayelsa Elders Council and former deputy governor of the state, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John-Jonah (Rtd), appreciated Governor Diri’s stewardship, which, he noted, had enthroned peace, development and stability since 2020.
He equally commended the Bayelsa governor for his leadership style as well as the construction of the Nembe-Brass road, which he said had restored peace and unity to the area just as cases of sea piracy and kidnapping had drastically reduced.
John-Jonah stated that the senatorial roads in the state were conceived to link the Atlantic Ocean from the three major flanks to enable government harness its potential for the benefit of the people.
In a sermon hinged on the faithfulness of God, the Lead Pastor of The Refined People’s Assembly, Daddy-Ken Bitere, said faithfulness was the nature of God, as He is trustworthy and keeps promises with man.
The cleric said if God was given the due recognition and acknowledgement as the source of every success and victory, man will not experience disappointments in life.
He also said God uses man to bring His faithfulness to pass, and that He does that through the government in power to meet the needs of the people through numerous projects across the state.
He prayed that God will continually use Governor Diri to fulfill His promises to Bayelsans and praised him for always acknowledging the supremacy of God.
Dignitaries in attendance included Nigeria’s former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, wives of the governor, Dr. Gloria Diri and Justice Patience Diri, Senator representing Kaduna South, Sunday Katung, and wife of the first civilian governor of the state, Mrs. Margaret Alamieyeseigha.
Also present were National Assembly members from the state, including Senators Benson Agadaga (Bayelsa East), and Konbowei Benson (Bayelsa Central) as well as House of Representatives members, Chief Fred Agbedi (Sagbama/Ekeremor), Oforji Oboku (Yenagoa/Kolokuma/Opokuma), Engr. Rodney Ambaiowei (Southern Ijaw) and Mrs. Marie Ebikake (Nembe/Brass) as well as Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abraham Ingobere, other state legislators and the Chief Judge, Justice Matilda Ayemieye
Others were former deputy governor of the state, Rt. Hon. Peremobowei Ebebi, Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Nimibofa Ayawei, chairman of the Bayelsa State Traditional Rulers Council, King Bubaraye Dakolo, and Managing Director, Niger Delta Basin Development Authority, Prince Ebitimi Amgbare.
Also in attendance were the chairman of the state caretaker committee, All Progressives Congress, Dr. Dennis Otiotio, Chief David Lyon, Engr. Gesi Asamaowei, Engr. Preye Aganaba, service commanders, religious leaders and top government functionaries among others.
Daniel Alabrah
Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Bayelsa State
February 14, 2026
