The governor of Bayelsa state, Douye Diri, has stated that he did not partake in any rituals before his election to office, attributing his success to his unwavering faith in God and earning him the nickname ‘miracle governor’.
His Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, conveyed this information in a statement released on Saturday. Diri made these remarks during the Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government Area Annual Day of Thanksgiving event in Sampou on Friday.
He disclosed that he was once invited to Abuja and advised to perform certain rituals in order to become governor, but he declined the offer. This happened while Diri was still disputing the declared victory of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the November 2019 governorship election, with the case awaiting a Supreme Court ruling.
Diri 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. Sometimes 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 would 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.”
