…Hails Synergy Among Three Arms Of Govt
From Kenechukwu Obiajuru, Yenagoa
Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has again admonished the political class in the state to avoid politics of bitterness, acrimony and violence ahead of the 2027 general election.
Governor Diri also applauded the synergy among the three arms of government in the state.
The Bayelsa governor spoke on Sunday during the third memorial thanksgiving service in honour of his father, Pa Abraham Joseph Michael Diri, at the St. Peter’s Anglican Church, Sampou, in Kolokuma/Opokuma local government area.
He said the state had moved to an era of love and unity among the political leadership.
According to him, politics should encourage development and brotherliness and not create division among brothers.
Imploring politicians to learn lessons from his relationship with his rival in the 2019 governorship election in the state, Chief David Lyon, he said if they were violent or insulted each other, it could have been difficult to mend fences when the tables turned.
The governor appreciated Lyon, who was present at the church service, for his candour and decent approach to politics.
He said: “Let me appreciate my dear brother, David Lyon. It is very rare for politicians that contested elections to come together the way Lyon and I have done. If we insulted ourselves in 2019 so badly, today I would have been remembering some of the scars.
“Let this be the way politics is played in Bayelsa State. We have no reason to abuse each other the way I see a lot of politicians doing.
“Some people say my sin is that I work with people like Lyon. If that is a sin before man, it is not before God. I have been taught to follow the Bible from my youthful age.”
Commending the synergy among the three arms of government in Bayelsa, Governor Diri said the cooperation fosters growth and development of the state.
He explained that harmonious relationship does not mean the absence of disagreements but that the understanding helps in amicable resolution of such issues whenever they arise.
He expressed optimism that the synergy would continue throughout his tenure in office and beyond, stressing that it was the only way government can deliver development to people of the state.
Diri particularly appreciated Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abraham Ingobere and the Chief Judge, Justice Matilda Ayemieye, for their support and urged them not to relent.
On Ingobere, the state’s helmsman described his representation of his people as effective, saying it has brought unprecedented development to Akassa kingdom in Brass local government area and urged him to sustain the tempo.
“The three arms of government have been working together from the previous government led by Senator Seriake Dickson. So far, we have never had any reason to quarrel. We talk to ourselves and resolve issues accordingly.
“Now that we are on the home stretch to finish by 2028, it is only reasonable that we hand over the remainder of the tenure to God.
“For the Speaker, I have received calls from the people of Akassa saying that no previous government or elected office holder had impacted the kingdom as Right Honorable Abraham Ingobere had done. I feel so encouraged, because I know that we are working together.
“So I thank you Mr. Speaker and also the Chief Judge of our dear state. Let us continue to work together.”
On behalf of the Diri family and the St. Peter’s Anglican Church community, the governor expressed appreciation to those present at the service, saying they were overwhelmed by their love, solidarity and support.
In a sermon, Bishop of the Northern Izon Anglican Diocese, Funkuro Amgbare, described the late Pa Diri as a faithful Christian in the Anglican Church, a committed church teacher, who raised his children in the ways of the Lord and that he loved justice.
In attendance were the wives of the governor, Dr. Gloria Diri, Justice Patience Diri, Senator Konbowei Benson (Bayelsa Central), his Kaduna South counterpart, Sunday Katung, and Dr. Fred Agbedi, memver representing Sagbama/Ekeremor federal constituency in the House of Representatives.
Also present were Senator Degi Eremienyo, Speaker of the State Assembly, Ingobere, and other state legislators, former deputy governor, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John-Jonah (rtd), Engr. Gesi Asamaowei, Bayelsa State representative in the Niger Delta Development Commission, Elder Deinyebofa Dimaro as well as the Caretaker Committee Chairman of the Bayelsa All Progressives Congress, Dr. Dennis Otiotio.
Others were Head of the Bayelsa State Civil Service, Dr. Wisdom Sawyer, Deputy Chief of Staff, Government House, Mr. Irorodamie Komonibo, Commissioners, local government chairmen, Chief Pastor Reuben Wilson and other government officials.
