Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has made a shocking revelation about his journey to the governor’s seat. Speaking at the Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area (KOLGA) Annual Day of Thanksgiving in his hometown of Sampou,
Governor Diri shared how he rejected an offer to perform rituals to facilitate his political ambition, despite paying $10,000 for the expenses of marabouts brought in from Senegal ¹.
According to Governor Diri, a senior figure had invited him to Abuja in 2020, urging him to perform spiritual sacrifices to ensure his governorship. However, Diri’s faith in God wouldn’t allow him to go through with the rituals. “I declined because my faith in God wouldn’t allow it,” he said. “The man demanded a refund of the $10,000 spent on bringing them, which I paid, but I put my trust solely in God.”
Governor Diri’s emergence as governor was not without its challenges. Initially declared the loser in the 2019 election under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), he pursued legal action against the results and was ultimately declared the winner by the Supreme Court.
Diri emphasized the importance of politicians prioritizing their faith in God rather than seeking shortcuts. “My story is proof that God is always faithful. Politicians should learn to trust Him rather than man,” he stated.
The governor also commended KOLGA for institutionalizing the Thanksgiving event and lauded the region’s growth. Apostle David Zilly Aggrey, the program’s convener, praised Diri’s leadership and urged the people to reflect on the region’s transformation.
In his closing remarks, Governor Diri called for civility in politics, emphasizing that leadership is ordained by God. “Politics should not harm anyone. God determines who rises to greatness, and we must acknowledge His authority,” he said.