Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has revealed how he rejected an offer to perform rituals allegedly arranged to secure his governorship position. Speaking during the Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area Annual Day of Thanksgiving in Sampou, his hometown, Diri recounted the pressure he faced during the legal battle over the 2019 governorship election.
According to Diri, a senior citizen flew in marabouts from Senegal to Abuja, promising their rituals would help him win his Supreme Court case against the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate. However, the governor declined, citing his unwavering faith in God.
“I told him my faith in God would not allow me to do it,” Diri said. The man, reportedly angered by Diri’s refusal, demanded a refund of $10,000 spent on bringing the marabouts. Diri obliged and paid back the amount.
The governor said his eventual victory at the Supreme Court was proof of God’s faithfulness. “God, against all odds, showed that He is always faithful,” he said. He urged politicians to rely on divine guidance rather than turning to questionable practices for success.
Diri also thanked Apostle David Zilly Aggrey, whose prayers he credited as instrumental in his political journey. He emphasized the importance of the annual thanksgiving event, now a tradition for the Kolokuma/Opokuma people, as a testament to his gratitude to God.
The governor shared that the man who orchestrated the ritual attempt was deeply shocked by the Supreme Court’s decision and later passed away. Diri urged others to learn from his experience, saying, “Put your trust in God, not man.”