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Former President Goodluck Jonathan, his wife, Dame Patience, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors of Bauchi, Akwa Ibom and Oyo states were among the galaxy of dignitaries that attended the special victory thanksgiving of the Bayelsa State governor, Senator Douye Diri, in Yenagoa on Saturday.
The event held at the 15,000-seater Ecumenical Centre, which was filled to rafter to commemorate the February 13, 2020 Supreme Court verdict that ushered in Senator Diri as governor of the state as well as the first anniversary of his administration, also had in attendance the national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus, senior special assistant to the President on Niger Delta, Senator Ita Enang, national president, Christian Association of Nigeria, Dr. Samson Ayokunle, general overseer, The Lord’s Chosen Charismatic Revival Movement, Pastor Lazarus Muoka, among others.
Immediate past governor of the state, Senator Seriake Dickson, was represented by a former secretary to the state government, Barr. Kemela Okara.
Speaking at the event, Governor Diri expressed appreciation to God Almighty for the miracle that brought him to office, adding that he would forever remain grateful and committed to the service of the state.
A statement by his chief press secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, quoted him as also thanking the judiciary, particularly the Supreme Court Justices for their courage in delivering such a landmark judgement.
A five-man panel of the apex court upheld the ruling of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which had disqualified David Lyon of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on the grounds that his running mate, Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo, presented false information to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in aid of his qualification for the November 16, 2019 governorship election in the state.
The court consequently ordered INEC to withdraw the Certificate of Return issued to Lyon and Degi-Eremienyo.
The court also ordered that INEC immediately declare the party with the highest number of lawful votes and geographical spread the winner of the election.
Diri said the justices proved that the judiciary remained the last hope of the common man.
He equally appreciated all those who stood by him after the election and before the apex court ruling, especially Senator Dickson, Akwa Ibom governor, Udom Emmanuel, and his Oyo counterpart, Seyi Makinde.
He said they all allowed God to use them to make his dream of becoming governor a reality.
The state helmsman urged people of the state to always exude love and embrace one another irrespective of party affiliations, stressing that the development of the state was bigger than any group or individual consideration.
His words: “They say the judiciary is the last hope of the common man. For us, the judiciary was our last hope. We thank all those who contributed one way or another toward ensuring our victory.
“Let me again urge Bayelsans not to see those in APC as enemies. Today they are there but tomorrow they might be in PDP. As I speak, many of our brothers in the APC are returning to the PDP.”
Former President Jonathan, in his goodwill message, urged politicians to see politics as a means of developing the people and not warfare.
The former Nigerian leader stressed that at the end of every political contest, politicians should sheathe their swords and work with the winner.
He commended Diri for his non-discriminatory style of politics, which he said has seen him embrace everybody regardless of political leanings.
He also called for support from people of the state to enable the Diri administration succeed.
“My message today is that those of us in politics should learn to play politics as politics and not war. At the end of the process, let us come together and support whoever emerges winner.
“I thank our governor for opening his mind to accept everybody irrespective of political divide. I urge him to do more,” Jonathan said.
Recounting his experience, the deputy governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, recalled that their hope was dashed but God served them victory.
He said they are grateful to God and the people of the state for their solidarity during the difficult moments that led to the victory at the Supreme Court.
In their goodwill messages, Governors Seyi Makinde, Udom Emmanuel and Senator Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State as well as Prince Secondus all commended Governor Diri for his strides in office and expressed confidence that he would transform the state, while calling on Bayelsans to rally round him.
Delivering a sermon on the topic: ‘It is The Lord’s Doing,’ Pastor Lazarus Muoka described Diri’s emergence as divine.
He noted that with man there were limitations but with God all things were possible and urged people of the state to turn to God for salvation.
Pastor Muoka commended the governor and the people for the attitude of thanksgiving and prayed that God would enable Diri fulfill his purpose for the state.
Others present at event include member representing Sagbama/Ekeremor Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon, Fred Agbedi, Hon. Sunday Katung alongside former and current National Assembly members, Speaker and members of the state House of Assembly and the state executive council.
The event also featured performances by Blessing Chinwo, Minister Daniel and other gospel artistes as well as choirs.
Meanwhile, our correspondent reports that Bayelsa State was in celebration of “365 days of visible prosperity amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, plethora of litigation, floods and the EndSARS unrest.”
According to the director-general of Bayelsa State Centre for Youth Development, Chief Ombu Okubokakpo, Governor Douye Diri and his “workaholic” deputy governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpor, deserve commendation for the prompt and regular payment of civil servant salaries and promotions, monthly payment of gratuities to retired civil servants, the regular and prompt payment of pension, the 90% completion of expansion works at the Tombia Round about to ease traffic and the Diri-Boost Initiative to train youths in different entrepreneurial and business skills.
On education, he also eulogised the ‘Prosperity’ administration for its focus on education with proposed start-up packages and soft loans in view.
He also in thanked the governor for the release of funds for the final completion and licensing of the Bayelsa State cargo international airport which is set to begin operation before the end of the month, award and mobilization of the 24km Igbogene/AIT road, mobilization and award of the Glory Drive, Igbogene Ecumenical Centre to link Tombia round about, award and mobilization of the Yenagoa-Oporoma road, re-mobilization of the Sagbama- Ekeremor road, repairs and rehabilitation of 50 internal roads within the Yenagoa metropolis and refurbishment and rehabilitation of Kaiama Referral Hospital.
He also commended Governor Douye Diri for mobilization to site for the construction of Sangana-UAC road, construction of the Elebele Bridge to link the East senatorial district, proposed completion of the Nembe Unity bridge, re-mobilization for the completion of the dualization of the Isaac Adaka Boro Express way, release of funds to the ministry of Local Government for the construction of rural roads, award and mobilization of the 4.5km Igbedi Road in Kolokuma/Opokuma local government area to link Sabagirya/Opokuma road and restoration of peace among Nembe People Democratic Party supporters that have been relocated to their ancestral home.
He also extoled the governor’s disposition for peaceful political atmosphere, that is the co-existence with the various oppositions and rancor-free inter-party relations, cordial, harmonious and assiduous working relationship with other arms of government, the legislature and judiciary, and the unalloyed respect and support for the traditional institution in the state.
“We know Governor Diri is working, and ready to deliver more,” he said.
