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Tag: Governor Diri

  • Bayelsa APC waiting to receive Governor Diri – Aganaba

    Bayelsa APC waiting to receive Governor Diri – Aganaba

    Following the announcement of his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), speculations have intensified over the next political move of Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, with strong indications that he and his supporters may soon join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Reacting to the development, the Executive Director of Social and Human Capital Development at the South South Development Commission and a founding chieftain of the APC in Bayelsa State, Preye Aganaba, expressed delight at the readiness of the party to welcome the governor into its fold.

    Speaking during an interview on Rhythm 94.7 FM in Yenagoa, the state capital, Aganaba said Diri’s reported decision to align with the ruling party was not surprising.

    “The kind of impactful leadership and bold reforms led by President Bola Tinubu have unlocked enormous resources for governors to carry out development in their various states. It is only natural for those who are people-oriented to align with the President,” he said.

    Read Also: Lokpobiri, Lyon, Deigi, top Bayelsa APC leaders hail Diri’s resignation from PDP

    Aganaba added that the formal reception of Governor Diri would be handled by the national leadership of the party, noting that the state chapter would follow their direction.

    On the development front, the Odi-born politician expressed optimism that greater unity among political leaders would attract more infrastructural projects to Bayelsa State.

    Responding to rumours that former President Goodluck Jonathan may contest the 2027 elections, Aganaba cast doubt on such reports, describing Jonathan as a respected statesman now more focused on mentoring the next generation of leaders.

  • Waiting for Governor Diri’s inclusive cabinet

    Waiting for Governor Diri’s inclusive cabinet

    SIR: In 1860, lawyer and former one-term congressman, Abraham Lincoln stunned the American community by prevailing over three prominent and politically enlightened rivals – William H. Steward, Salmon P. Chase, and Edward Bates, who were his opponents in the keenly contested Republican nomination for President of the United States of America. Lincoln appointed all three of them after the elections, in disbelief, as Secretary of State, Secretary of Treasury and Attorney-General respectively. All, to key political cabinet offices – the engine room of government. That singular well-thought-out act helped President Lincoln steer the country through its darkest days.

    What propelled Lincoln to fill his cabinet with rival politicians was that these were men of strong character, great talents and patriotic American citizens. Lincoln desired to harness these rich human resources to enable him effectively tap into their variegated talents for national growth and development of the American State.

    The author of “In Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln”, Doris Kearns Goodwin in her research, found that, apart from other variables, Lincoln wanted people in his cabinet who thought the way he did and had the passion for selfless service and the ability to unify a divided America, particularly to stand the head of the rebellious South.

    Read Also: Why I started Nembe-Brass road project, by Governor Diri

    It is for this reason that the recent proclamation of Bayelsa State governor, Senator Douye Diri’s avowed commitment to constitute an inclusive cabinet in his second tenure in office is worthy of applause. This move, if studiedly carried out, would further unite the Bayelsa community to gaze at the same direction in squarely addressing the problems of under-development in the state. It goes without saying that this move would not only douse the flames of discontent, intolerance, greed and self-centeredness amongst our political class but shall deflate the hitherto despicable trending winner-takes-all syndrome in our polity.

    What is left to be done now by Governor Douye and his “Kitchen Cabinet” is to fish out such men and women of proven character and ability who would positively add to his government’s developmental action plan for the next four years. These choices should be men and women of commonly shared moral and ethical values, and who have, unarguably, knowledge and understanding of what service delivery to an under-developed state, such as Bayelsa, means.

    Such candidates so identified, should have emotional and political attachment to both the state and her leadership, as well as exude the finer attributes of vision, probity and accountability, pragmatism, loyalty and unflinching commitment to assist the leadership in the task of advancing the development the state.

    • Braeyi Ekiye, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
  • CAN endorses Bayelsa governor’s re-election bid

    CAN endorses Bayelsa governor’s re-election bid

    Bayelsa State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has endorsed the second term bid of Governor Douye Diri in the November 11 governorship election.

    CAN made its stand known at a one-day interactive session with the governor at the St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Swali, Yenagoa, yesterday.

    The  Chairman,  Rev. Father Joseph Opelema, said the body was impressed with the governor’s performance in infrastructure development in the last three and a half years and wanted him to continue.

    He said the state needed a God-fearing leader to pilot its affairs, noting that Governor Diri fit its choice.

    Opelema also noted that the Governor had given the state a ray of hope through his commitment to prayers, support for the church and developmental initiatives.

    Read Also: Lokpobiri will perform well as minister, Governor Diri congratulates

    The CAN boss, however, noted that all the contenders in the election were brothers and sisters and enjoined political actors  to shun violence in the electoral process and allow the electorate to choose who to lead them.

    Opelema said: “We stand with you (Diri) on our choice for continuity and consolidation. You are our choice.

    “We are impressed by your commitment to prayers and support for the church and CAN as well as sponsorship of pilgrimage to the holy land.

    In his response, Diri appreciated the CAN leadership for their support.

     He attributed his administration’s success to God and the support from the church.

    Diri stated that the gesture was a motivation to do more and urged members to vote for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the election to enable him to consolidate his first tenure achievements.

    “When you  endorse, you are saying we should do more. So for us, it is a motivation to do more in our second tenure.

    The governor, who condemned politics of violence, said his campaign would be issue-based.

  • Lokpobiri will perform well as minister, Governor Diri congratulates

    Lokpobiri will perform well as minister, Governor Diri congratulates

    Bayelsa state governor, Douye Diri, has congratulated the newly appointed minister of state for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri.

    Diri in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, described Lokpobiri as an illustrious son of Bayelsa with deep experience in public service.

    He said he was confident that given his track record, Lokpobiri would steer the ministry towards greatness.

    The governor further said his administration would support and cooperate with the Minister to attract the needed development to Bayelsa for the benefit of the people.

    He said: “On behalf of the Government of Prosperity and the people of Bayelsa State, I extend my warmest congratulations to a worthy son of our state, Distinguished Senator Heineken October Lokpobiri, on his nomination, appointment and inauguration as the new Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil).

    Read Also: Lokpobiri, Ekpoh resume work, vow to go to creeks, maximize use of CNG

    “I have confidence in your ability to steer the ship of the ministry towards greatness because of your deep experience in public service.

    “The government of Prosperity under my watch is open to a robust partnership with your ministry and the Federal Government of Nigeria to attract more development to our state.

    “I wish to note that the development of our dear state requires collective effort irrespective of party affiliation.

    “While we are prepared to give you all the support and encouragement to succeed, the state government is confident you will again be a worthy ambassador of Bayelsa State in the federal cabinet.”