It was the turn of his local government area, Kolokuma/Opokuma, on Tuesday as Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, continued his thank-you tour across the state.
The Bayelsa governor got a resounding vote of confidence from his kinsmen, who said they were proud of his governance and impactful leadership style.
They said his tenure has positively impacted the eight local government areas of the state.
At the event held at the newly built pavilion in Kaiama, the local government headquarters, the council chairman, Tariye Leilei, said the thank-you tour was a homecoming for an illustrious son of the soil.
Leilei said rather thank them, the people of the local government appreciate the governor and were proud that their son was changing the developmental narrative of the state.
He thanked other local government areas for overwhelmingly supporting Diri’s re-election in the November 2023 poll.
The member representing Kolokuma/Opokuma Constituency 1 in the House of Assembly, Werinipre Pamo, and his Constituency 2 counterpart, Dr. Wisdom Fafi, said the mammoth crowd at the event was confirmation of the people’s love for the governor, who they described as a proud son of Kolokuma/Opokuma.
The lawmakers noted that his signature projects and good work were visible across the state.
Also, the member representing Yenagoa/Kolokuma/Opokuma Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Oforji Oboku, said Governor Diri leads by example and that his followers like him were proud of his developmental footprints.
Oforji noted that as the governor’s representative, the bar of performance set by the Bayelsa leader was high and a motivation to him.
He said some of his constituency projects were in line with that of the governor’s, particularly in the power sector where he had provided transformers for some communities in preparation for the government’s independent power plant expected to be functional by end of this year.
Also, Senator representing Bayelsa Central, Dr. Konbowei Benson, hailed the governor’s political sagacity in the face of opposition during last governorship election.
Senator Benson said the governor has changed the political dynamics in the state by practicing inclusive governance, a trait he noted was hard to find.
Responding, Governor Diri thanked his Kolokuma people for their loyalty and support, noting that loyalty was key to success in his political career.
On behalf of his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, and people of the area, Diri acknowledged and paid tribute to his predecessor, Senator Seriake Dickson, who he said was the vessel God used for their emergence.
He promised not to disappoint his people and that the area as well as other parts of the state would continue to feel the impact of his administration’s projects and policies.
“For us, consistency in loyalty and supporting somebody is the benefit we are reaping today.
“In Kolokuma/Opokuma, we hold former Governor Seriake Dickson in very high esteem. I keep saying that power comes from God. So, He planted my deputy and I in his heart for us to succeed him.”
The governor and his entourage earlier paid a courtesy visit to the palace of the Ebedaowei of Kolokuma Kingdom King Onya Mozi-Agara with other Kolokuma/Opokuma kingdom royal fathers also present.
At the event were his deputy, Hon. Marie Ebikake representing Nembe/Brass Federal Constituency, Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abraham Ingobere as well as other state legislators.
Also present were the immediate past deputy governor, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John-Jonah (rtd), state chairman, Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Solomon Agwana, former Secretary to the State Government, Chief Gideon Ekeuwei, government officials and prominent sons and daughters of the local government area.
