Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri recently rolled out the drums and the carpet to welcome guests invited to celebrate the fifth year the governor has spent in office.
The anniversary programme saw the inauguration of several projects as well as the groundbreaking of others. Besides the commissioning of projects, there was also a medical outreach as well as a thanksgiving service to express gratitude to God for His goodness and favour upon the state.
In all, it was a very engaging and fulfilling programme, until the demise of Niger Delta leader, Chief Edwin Clark necessitated a suspension of the rest of the activities of the anniversary. But beyond the inauguration of projects and groundbreaking ceremonies for new big ticket projects, the anniversary celebration provided the governor the opportunity to showcase another side of his likeable character -- his disposition to political tolerance.
We are in a country where most serving governors will readily use the instrument of state at their disposal to intimidate and oppress the opposition, if need be, but not so for Governor Diri. The governor is an epitome of the late Waziri Ibrahim's brand of politics without bitterness. He has always said it loud and clear to anyone ready to listen that he would never play politics with the development of the state and that once elections are over party politics should take back seat for all to work together for the development of the state irrespective of party leaning.
Governor Douye Diri used the anniversary celebration to send a clear message to Nigerians on how and when to draw the line between party politics and development issues. In seeking prominent Nigerians to inaugurate projects undertaken by his administration as part of the fifth anniversary programme, Senator Diri went beyond party leaning.
For instance, Diri invited his Cross River State counterpart, Senator Bassey Otu, a chieftain of the All Progressive Congress (APC) to inaugurate Road 24, a dual carriage way opposite Prosco on Monday, February 10, 2025.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Mohammed Ali-Pate, another APC chieftain, inaugurated the Hemodialysis and General Out-patient Centre at the Bayelsa Medical University on Tuesday, February 11, 2025. Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abass, another member of the APC, was also on hand to inaugurate the Legislators' Quarters at the New Yenagoa City on Friday, February 14, 2025.
The fifth anniversary Thanksgiving service at the Ecumenical Centre, Igbogene on Thursday, February 13, had an array of dignitaries among whom were former President, Goodluck Jonathan, the Vice President, Kashim Shettima and Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr Samuel Ogbuku, both APC members. Shettima, who was represented by his Special Advisor on Economic Matters, Dr Tope Fasua, was full of praise for Governor Diri and Bayelsa State.
As the inauguration of projects continues this week, Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and Minister of Works, Engr Dave Umahi, both APC top shots, amongst others, are being expected.
Former Governor of Bayelsa, Chief Timipre Sylva, yet another APC chieftain, was at Sampou February last year to commiserate with Diri when the incumbent governor lost his father on February 12, 2024. Equally noteworthy is the fact that when former Deputy Governor, Peremobowei Ebebi, a staunch APC member, lost his father, the Governor was on leave and out of town but he detailed the Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Erudjakpo to attend the funeral service at Aleibiri to condole Ebebi.
Governor Diri reiterated his disposition towards the issue of politics without bitterness at the 64th State Executive Council meeting on February 2, 2022 when he said, "Bayelsa State is one of the most peaceful and secured states in Nigeria. Our state is moving away from the old fashion of politics. Today, the leading political parties can wine and dine together. This administration has come up with policies that encourage political parties to be at peace with themselves. Most of what we do transcends political parties".
Members of the opposition in the state also attest to Diri's disposition. Engr Udengs Eradiri is former President of the Ijaw Youth Council Worldwide, Labour Party's candidate in the last governorship election in Bayelsa State but has now crossed over to the APC. Here is what he had to say about Diri: "Governor Diri is our leader. He is an easy-going person, who is prepared to work with everybody to develop the state".
Also contributing, Brisbe Kpodoh, the Bayelsa State APGA Chairman said "To a reasonable extent there is peace and political stability in Bayelsa unlike some other states where political parties are at each other's throat. There is political tolerance on the part of the governor as all the political parties in the state enjoy level playing field. This can be attested to by the fact that the last state House of Assembly election produced members from the PDP, APC and APGA, a relatively new political party in the state that produced two members.
"I commend the governor, Senator Douye Diri for his humane disposition and leadership style where he accommodates criticisms without reaction. This is something you may not find in most other states".
And finally, Niger Delta Connect.com in its editorial of Monday, February 24, 2025 titled "Harvest of Projects in Bayelsa, wrote "Today, Bayelsa enjoys relative peace, and this can be attributed to Diri's disposition. He has so far been able to manage all the political interests in the state. Members of the opposition All Progressive Congress (APC) may be mistaken for members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) because of the camaraderie and warmth he extends to them".
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri is a perfect example of what political tolerance means. If other politicians, at all levels, emulate him, perhaps our political space will be less toxic and acrimonious, thus creating the needed environment for development.
