The Federal Government has lauded the "exceptional leadership qualities" of Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, saying despite being a member of the opposition, he has maintained a good and healthy working relationship with the government at the centre.
The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobri, gave the commendation on Wednesday when he led a delegation on a courtesy visit to Government House, Yenagoa.
On the Minister’s delegation were the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the 2019 governorship poll in the state, Chief David Lyon, and immediate past Nembe/Brass Federal Constituency member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Israel Sunny-Goli.
Senator Lokpobiri said he was in the state on the directive of President Bola Tinubu during Monday’s Federal Executive Council meeting for his appointees to join forces with state governors to ensure the planned nationwide protest does not get violent.
While appealing to youths from oil producing communities in the Niger Delta to jettison the protest, the Petroleum Minister thanked Governor Diri for engaging with various socio-cultural, youth and students groups to maintain peace in the state.
He acknowledged that some of the demands of the alleged sponsors of the protest were genuine but appealed for patience to allow the government to address their concerns.
“We are here to first of all commend you for your exceptional leadership. The world is a global village, and all that you are doing here are known all over. So, I am here to extend the commendation of Mr. President, for the good work you are doing.
“As Ministers, Mr. President gave us very clear directives that we work with the governors at this particular time to ensure that there is peace and that there was no need for violent protest in our respective states.
“After our Federal Executive Council meeting on Monday, Mr. President directed us to liaise with our governors to ensure that we do not have a repeat of the 2020 #EndSARS.
“Bayelsa people are known for our peaceful nature. So, I want to thank you for the engagements you have done since the issue of this protest started. I am here to complement what you are doing.”
Lokpobri further stated that he is the leader of the APC in the state being the highest ranked member of the party as Minister, adding that the APC under his leadership was united unlike it was under Chief Timipre Sylva, who he said ran a “one man show", he said.
In his remarks, Governor Diri thanked Lokpobri for giving the state proper representation in the Federal Executive Council.
On the August 1 protest, the governor acknowledged the rights of the people to protest in a democracy but stressed that there must be a good reason, which he argued can be resolved through dialogue.
He said his administration deployed dialogue from the beginning, and because of his performance, the people re-elected him for another term.
He called on Bayelsans to come to the roundtable to resolve any grievance against government’s policies.
Diri again advised the people not to join the protest, given that it was being orchestrated by failed politicians in the state.
He directed that there will be no public holiday in the state as all government offices, markets, and businesses will open for normal daily activities.
