Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has opened up about an unusual encounter during his journey to becoming governor.
Speaking at the Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area (KOLGA) Annual Day of Thanksgiving in his hometown, Sampou, Governor Diri shared how he was approached with an offer to perform rituals to secure his governorship but chose to rely on his faith in God instead.
Diri revealed that in 2020, a senior citizen invited him to Abuja and proposed that he perform specific sacrifices to enhance his chances of winning the legal battle for the governorship, which was still pending at the Supreme Court at the time.
The senior citizen went as far as flying in marabouts from Senegal to conduct the rituals. However, Governor Diri firmly rejected the proposal, citing his unwavering trust in God.
The governor recalled how the man became upset, insisting he would never become governor if he refused to comply. The senior citizen also demanded a refund of the $10,000 he had spent on bringing the marabouts to Nigeria. Out of respect, Diri refunded the money, despite declining the offer.
Reflecting on the eventual outcome, Diri noted how God proved Himself faithful. In 2019, he contested the Bayelsa governorship election as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) but initially lost to David Lyon of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Following a legal battle, the Supreme Court declared Diri the rightful governor in February 2020, a decision that surprised many, including the man who had sought to influence the process through rituals.
He said: “I thank God and also thank Apostle David Zilly Aggrey because he started this event. And because his prayers were heard, God made it possible to bring me in and today, it is by law that all Kolokuma/Opokuma people can gather to praise God.
“Let me reveal to you why it is important to thank God and have faith in Him. Sometime ago, a senior citizen of this country invited me to Abuja and asked me to perform certain sacrifices but I declined. I told him my faith in God will not allow me to do it. He got angry and told me I would never become governor.
“He told me that he had spent $10,000 to bring the people for the sacrifice and asked for a refund, which I obliged.
“When the Supreme Court’s pronouncement came, the man was shocked and could not call me. Sadly, he passed on after some time.
“The story I have narrated was witnessed by my deputy and a friend in Abuja as both of them accompanied me to visit the senior citizen.
“Kolokuma/Opokuma people have every reason to thank God. As a state, we do not want anybody to be harmed in the name of politics because we do not know who God has destined for greatness. So I call on all of us in the political game to be very civil and recognise that there is God who rules in the affairs of man.
The Thanksgiving event also featured a sermon by Apostle David Zilly Aggrey, who praised Diri’s leadership and highlighted the development Bayelsa State has experienced under his administration.
Governor Diri expressed gratitude to Apostle Aggrey and the local government council for supporting the annual thanksgiving, which has now been institutionalized through legislation.
