Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, has declared that his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) was divinely ordained, stating that God had a clear plan for his political journey.

 

Governor Diri made the remarks on Saturday during a thanksgiving service marking six years of his administration at the Ecumenical Centre, Igbogene, in Yenagoa. He called on Bayelsans to remain united and continue speaking with one voice for the development and progress of the state.

 

The governor, who left the PDP — the platform on which he secured both his first and second terms — late last year, explained that the anniversary celebration was deliberately low-key in honour of his late deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, who began the administration with him in 2020.

 

Diri was first sworn in as the fourth elected governor of Bayelsa State on February 14, 2020, and was re-elected for a second term on the same date in 2023.

 

At the well-attended service, the governor paid tribute to his departed deputy and expressed gratitude to Bayelsans and other arms of government for their support, which he credited for the achievements recorded by his administration.

 

Reading from Psalm 23:1–6, Diri emphasized unity, tolerance, and reconciliation, stressing that the state’s abundant human and natural resources must be collectively harnessed for sustainable development.

 

“All we need to do is to unite and harness the human and material resources that abound in our state for our collective benefits. Bayelsa is so blessed with oil and gas and so much more,” he said.

 

He noted that his administration is working to change the narrative about Bayelsa’s challenging terrain by constructing roads to open up hinterland communities and awarding additional contracts to improve connectivity.

 

“God had a plan for bringing me to the APC from the PDP. Let us keep uniting and speak with one voice and we pray that God will bring another God-fearing leader that will perform better than me,” Diri added.

 

In his goodwill message, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, described Diri’s emergence as governor as a divine intervention, recalling that the governor earned the nickname “Miracle Governor.”

 

“Except the Lord builds, the man who builds does so in vain. We in APC then built in vain,” Lokpobiri said, noting that leadership ultimately comes from God.

 

Similarly, the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Samuel Ogbuku, congratulated the governor and his cabinet members, commending the administration for fostering peace in the state, which he said has enabled development initiatives.

 

Delivering a sermon themed on the faithfulness of God, the Lead Pastor of The Refined People’s Assembly, Daddy-Ken Bitere, highlighted the importance of acknowledging God as the source of success. He prayed for continued divine guidance for the governor and urged residents to remain steadfast in supporting the government for sustained growth and stability in Bayelsa State.