Edith CHUKU
The Minister of State for Petroleum (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, has described the governor, Senator Douye Diri as a unifier.
Lokpobiri stated this on Sunday during the 14th Bayelsa Thanksgiving Day held at the Ecumenical Centre, Igbogene, Yenagoa, which he said he was excited to be attending for the first time.
He said Diri’s recent political move was timely, noting that the state can no longer afford to be in opposition when key developmental decisions were being made at the centre.
Also speaking, the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, described Diri as a godsend to the state, owing to his visible developmental strides.
Ogbuku prayed for God’s wisdom to guide him to continue doing his best for the state.
On his part, Diri said his decision to leave the Peoples Democratic Party PDP, for the All Progressives Congress APC, was taken in the overall interest of the state and its people.
Diri, who is set to be formally received into the APC on Monday, made the clarification while addressing Bayelsans for the first time on his defection.
The governor acknowledged that not everyone would immediately understand his decision, but expressed confidence that, in due course, his reasons would become clear as being selfless and for the good of the state.
He expressed delight over the gathering of different political leaders at the thanksgiving service, stressing that the unity of Bayelsa was crucial for its development.
He stated that politics should be for development and not to bring people down, and that his administration will continue to unite and develop the state.
The Bayelsa helmsman also said that the current peace and security in the state and its ongoing development were reasons to be grateful to God and urged the people to imbibe the culture of thanksgiving.
His words: “Somebody had to take the decision (to leave the PDP) and I took it on behalf of the state. I took it in the best interest of the state. Some of you might not understand now but later it will be clear to all.
“When we came in as a government, what we did at the beginning was to ensure that most of the uncompleted projects were completed and we introduced new ones. That alone is enough reason to thank God.
“The peace and security we are enjoying is another reason to thank God.
“Politics is for development and not to kill your brother. The gathering here is a testimony of the unity in the state.”
Also, the Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, who was represented by his Senior Policy Adviser, Rt. Hon. Funkekeme Solomon, said the strength of Bayelsa’s progress and development was in the unity of the people and urged the state to remain united and supportive of the Diri administration.
Oborevwori lauded the state for sustaining the culture of thanksgiving, saying it is an attitude that attracts God’s blessings.
Delivering a sermon titled: “Reasons Why We Should Thank God,” General Overseer of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM), Bishop Mike Okonkwo, said thanksgiving was important as God was always present at the time of need and does not forsake His children.
The renowned cleric assured the people of the state that as long as they made God their Alpha and Omega, victory and blessings were guaranteed.
In their goodwill messages, Senator Konbowei Benson (Bayelsa Central), the Head of Service of the Federation, Dame Didi Walson-Jack, Chairman, Bayelsa Elders Council and former Deputy Governor of the State, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John-Jonah (rtd), and President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Prof. Benjamin Okaba, all hailed the governor’s development strides, and stressed the need for people of the state to remain united.
Dignitaries present at the well-attended event included wives of the governor, Dr. Gloria Diri and Justice Patience Ama-Diri, the Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, wife of Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hajia Fatima Tajudeen-Abbas as well as Senators Benson Agadaga (Bayelsa East), and Sunday Katung (Kaduna South).
Others were the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abraham Ingobere, Chief Judge of the state, Justice Matilda Ayemieye, former governor of old Rivers State and Amanyanabo of Twon Brass, King Alfred Diete-Spiff, wife of the first civilian governor of the state, Mrs. Margaret Alamieseigha as well as a former deputy governor of the state, Rt.Hon Peremobowei Ebebi, and the 2019 Bayelsa APC governorship candidate, Chief David Lyon.
Also in attendance was the Managing Director of the Niger Delta River Basin Development Authority, Chief Ebitimi Amgbare, renowned cleric, Apostle David Zilly-Aggrey, and several ministers of God, captains of industry, traditional rulers and top government officials.
Popular gospel artiste, Asu Ekiye, ministered at the event.
