Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, has again admonished the political class in the state to shun bitterness, acrimony and violence ahead of the 2027 general election.
Diri gave the advice on Sunday during the third memorial thanksgiving service in honour of his father, Abraham Diri, at St. Peter’s Anglican Church, Sampou, in Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area.
The governor, who also applauded the synergy among the three arms of government in the state, said Bayelsa had moved into an era of love and unity among its political leadership.
According to him, politics should foster development and brotherliness rather than create division.
He urged politicians to draw lessons from his relationship with his rival in the 2019 governorship election, David Lyon, noting that excessive hostility during that period would have made reconciliation difficult when circumstances changed.
Diri appreciated Lyon, who attended the church service, for what he described as his candour and decent approach to politics.
“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,” he said.
Commending the cooperation among the executive, legislature and judiciary in the state, Diri said the relationship had fostered growth and development.
He explained that harmony among the three arms of government does not mean the absence of disagreements but rather the ability to resolve issues amicably.
Diri expressed optimism that the synergy would continue throughout his tenure and beyond, stressing that collaboration remained key to delivering development to the people.
He particularly appreciated the Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Abraham Ingobere, and the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Matilda Ayemieye, for their support.
“The three arms of government have been working together from the previous government led by 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,” he added.
Diri also commended Ingobere for what he described as effective representation that had brought development to the Akassa kingdom in Brass Local Government Area.
In a sermon, the Bishop of the Northern Izon Anglican Diocese, Funkuro Amgbare, described the late Pa Diri as a faithful Anglican and church teacher who raised his children in the ways of the Lord and loved justice.
Dignitaries at the service included Dr. Gloria Diri, Justice Patience Diri, Senator Konbowei Benson, Senator Sunday Katung, Dr. Fred Agbedi, Senator Degi Eremienyo, former deputy governor Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John-Jonah (rtd), and other government officials.
News channels won't show you this video
