Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, recently shared how his faith in God played a crucial role in his journey to becoming a governor. Speaking at the Kolokuma/Opokuma Annual Day of Thanksgiving in his hometown of Sampou, Diri recounted how he resisted pressure to perform rituals during the 2019 governorship election.

In 2020, a senior citizen invited Diri to Abuja and suggested that he carry out certain spiritual sacrifices to secure his political ambition. The man even flew in spiritual practitioners (marabouts) from Senegal for the rituals, spending $10,000. However, Diri declined the offer, saying his faith in God would not allow him to take such steps. Despite being told he would never succeed without the rituals, Diri stood firm and repaid the expenses.

At the time, Diri was the candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and had initially lost to the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Chief David Lyon. But he challenged the election results in court and eventually won at the Supreme Court, earning the title of “Miracle Governor.”

Diri shared,

“I told him my faith in God will not allow me to do it. He got angry and said I would never become governor. When the Supreme Court ruling came, he was shocked and couldn’t call me. Sadly, he passed on later.”

He credited God for his success and encouraged other politicians to trust in divine guidance instead of resorting to unethical means.

The governor also expressed gratitude to the Kolokuma/Opokuma people for their support and thanked Apostle David Zilly Aggrey, the convener of the Thanksgiving Day event, for his prayers and dedication.

Governor Diri’s story is a reminder that faith, integrity, and patience can lead to success even in challenging circumstances. He urged everyone, especially those in politics, to prioritize peace, trust in God, and respect for others as they pursue their goals.